Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), organised a rooftop solar awareness workshop at CSI Arul Church, Madhavaram, Chennai. The workshop was held from 9.30 AM to 11.30 AM on Sunday,13 June. The workshop was attended by 300 people from Madhavaram and surrounding neighbourhoods, with almost all participants residing in individual houses.
Ms. Aleena and Mr. Kaarmuhil led the workshop. Ms. Aleena, Consultant, CAG, welcomed the participants and introduced CAG and its various initiatives. Additionally, she outlined the objectives of the workshop and explained its purpose to the attendees.
Ms. Aleena, CAG,explaining the benefits of rooftop solar PV systems to the participants.
The CAG team provided a comprehensive overview of the benefits of rooftop solar and the installation process, providing participants with a deeper understanding of rooftop solar PV systems. During the meeting, participants received IEC material covering system basics, installation procedures, costs, and incentives. Ms.Aleena, Consultant - CAG, delivered an in-depth presentation on rooftop solar PV systems, focusing on:
- System types ( On grid, Off - grid and hybrid)
- Installation guidelines
- Area-specific requirements
- Financial requirements
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Q&A Session
The interactive Q&A session that followed sparked lively engagement, with attendees seeking clarification on various aspects of rooftop solar implementation. Some participant questions included:
- The life of a solar PV system -
Explanation: The life of a solar PV system is around 30 years with warranties for the solar PV panels upto 25 to 27 years. The life of another major component, the solar inverter is 10 - 12 years. Some manufacturers provide warranty for solar inverters from 5 to 10 years.
- Parameters that should be considered while selecting a vendor -
Explanation: When selecting a vendor, the following may be considered
- Whether they are empanelled with the PM Surya Ghar Scheme
- Vendors' experience in the field. (Number of projects completed, total capacity installed)
- Customer feedback/rating on their website
- Can solar panels withstand strong winds?
Explanation: Solar panels can withstand cyclones and strong winds with the right design, proper installation and durable components. Choose panels and mounting systems rated for high wind speeds and ensure panels are securely installed to withstand high winds.
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Is subsidy available for all three types of rooftop solar PV systems?
Explanation: Subsidy is available for on-grid and hybrid solar systems. For off-grid systems, no subsidy is available. - Time required to complete the installation of a rooftop solar PV system?
Explanation: After finalising the vendor, the actual installation of the rooftop solar system varies between 7 to 15 days, depending on the system size and the site conditions. For net metering, the time taken for approval by the distribution company (DISCOM) can vary between 7 to 14 days.
- Do solar panels work during the rainy seasons?
Yes, solar panels do work during rain, but their electricity generation is reduced compared to sunny days. While direct sunlight is ideal, solar panels can still capture some energy from diffused light on cloudy and rainy days.
- Which type of solar panel is the best for residential houses ?
Monocrystalline panels are generally considered the most efficient and durable option, especially for residential installations. They offer the highest power output per unit area, making them suitable for spaces with limited roof space. Efficiency ratings of monocrystalline solar panels range from 17% to 22%.
Next Steps & Conclusion
Fr.Ronald Richard, Madras Mylapore Archdiocese extended his gratitude to CAG for organising the rooftop solar awareness workshop and commended the organisation’s efforts in promoting sustainable energy solutions. Ms.Aleena, Consultant, CAG, wrapped up the session by recapping the key takeaways and urging participants to consider rooftop solar options.
Participants appreciated the session for being both informative and engaging. They were encouraged to contact CAG for any further questions or assistance related to rooftop solar systems. For more information, CAG has prepared a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for rooftop solar installations. You can access the English version here and the Tamil version here.