Industries in Karnataka

Karnataka is one of the leading industrial states in India, with the fifth highest GDP ranking among all Indian states with a growth of 12.3% in 2018-19. This is a good indicator of the industrial and business potential of the state. The state is the home to several and robust industries in textile, agro, aerospace, heavy engineering, and automobile manufacturing beyond the well known IT industry. As a leading Industrial hub, electricity and power consumption is a necessary and exorbitant expense for the state.

Power Tariff Hike in Karnataka

Recently the Electricity Supply Companies (Escoms) had approached the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) with a request to permit hike in the power rates, which has now resulted in the KERC approving an increase of 33 paise per unit in the electricity bills of all electricity supply companies (Escoms) in the state. The five Escoms in Karnataka has cited a hike in tariff ranging from Rs 1 to Rs 1.67 per unit for all categories of consumers. For the domestic consumers in rural areas of Bescom, the fixed charges have been increased from Rs 35 to Rs 45.

Cities such as Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubli and Mangaluru have reportedly experienced a surge in electricity bills already, and this has led to growing concerns amongst homeowners and business owners alike.

What Does This Mean for Commercial and Industrial Consumers in Karnataka?

While the electricity bills of the households will go up, the ones who will suffer the most will be the Industrial and Commercial Sector who lie in the highest bracket of consumption. For LT (low tension) commercial category users, the increase in tariff is 25 paise per unit. For HT (high tension) commercial users, in all other areas of other ESCOMs, the increase in tariff is 20 paise per unit. These tariff hikes for Industries in the state largely mean one thing: grid power/electricity is only going to become more expensive, and this surge in electricity expenditure is going to have an impact on the balance sheets of businesses and industries.

Why Businesses and Industries should Go Solar in Karnataka?

Karnataka is the leading state in cumulative solar installations with a total of 5 GW. The state is the home to 24 per cent of the total installed solar capacity in the country. However, there has been a minor setback when it comes to utility-scale solar projects, as the KERC has put restrictions on large scale solar projects over the financial health of the state’s discoms.

Rooftop solar remains a very viable and profitable option for businesses and industries in the state. You can estimate your businesses’ potential savings by running the MYSUN Solar Calculator.  

Let’s take an example of a machinery manufacturing unit, based out of Electronic city in Bengaluru, paying an average electricity bill of 5,00,000 INR lac per month. As you can see below in the illustration, there is an estimated 85% saving and a 36.5% ROI per annum, if the business owner decided to install a 350 kW rooftop solar system.

 

At MYSUN we offer end to end solar solutions and services, from design, installation all the way to solar financing and after-sales service. A number of our commercial and industrial clients are saving up to 80% on their electricity bills.

There is indeed great potential to save with solar for large scale businesses and Industries, especially in a thriving state like Karnataka. In addition to the financial benefits; installing a rooftop solar system can increase property value, ensure return on investment and provide you peace of mind for the next 25 years.

Start your solar journey today.

The Indian Machine Tools Industry

Since the advent of the industrial revolution, factories and manufacturers have been the world's biggest energy consumers due to their large scale production needs. India has emerged as a key player in the global machine tools industry and as per a report in 2017, the country is ranked 12th in production and 8th in consumption of machine tools on a global scale.

India is also a leading international hub for various industries and manufacturers in the space of automobiles, auto parts, agro-engineering, FMCG, and many more. Therefore, consumption of energy and therefore the cost that comes with it remains a challenge.

Meet MYSUN Solar Advisors at India Machine Tools Expo & reduce your energy costs. Call Now on +91 8448380218

Why Solar is Necessary for Machinery Manufacturers & Consumers

In most warehouses and factories, machinery manufacturing and processing equipment account for a substantial load, which contributes to high energy spends. Industry decision makers are looking for alternative solutions to mitigate these elevated energy expenses, and solar energy is one such promising solution.

When it comes to the peak energy consumption of manufacturing plants and warehouses, a majority of consumption occurs during the day. This makes solar a near perfect solution as a solar system will be at its peak production during the daytime.

Furthermore, there is immense potential for long term saving benefits as commercial solar systems are extremely economical when it comes to scale. You also have other benefits like AD (Accelerated Depreciation), contribution to the environment that make the decision more lucrative. You can check the savings your business could make with solar by running the MYSUN Solar Calculator.

Key Advantages of Rooftop Solar for Commercial & Industrial Manufacturers

Before considering solar as an option for any business or manufacturing industry, you should understand the key advantages and benefits of going solar:

Assured Return on Investment - Several of MYSUN's clients across India who are business owners, are saving up to 80% on their monthly electricity expenditure by going solar, as it helps offset peak consumption and reduce operational costs by a big margin. There are case studies of industries in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan and Gurugram, Haryana.

Reliability - Solar systems are a low-risk investment with a reliable lifespan of at least 25 years with peak performance. You can opt for a 25-year service guarantee with MYSUN that ensures reliability and the safety of your solar system for the entire tenure.

Flexibility - Rooftop Solar Systems can be installed on different kinds of roofs, and are highly scalable as their capacity can range from 1 kW to more than 1 MW. As warehouses and factories vary from industry to industry, the flexibility to install a rooftop solar system regardless of the size and shape of the rooftop is an added advantage.

Technological development - There are on-going research and development in the world of solar, and further improvements in the technology will only intensify in the near future; doubling or even tripling the electrical generation of solar systems. This will eventually result in much greater savings for industries.

Cost-Effectiveness - It is common knowledge that the cost of going solar today has come down tremendously. In certain areas of the country, the cost from solar is comparable, even cheaper than the cost of energy per unit from coal.

Insulation from rising tariffs - Electricity costs are bound to go up like any other commodity/service. However, with solar you lock your tariff for 25 years, so you are insulated from unwanted surges.

Easy Financing - All said and done, solar is a capital expenditure. However, to make this decision even easier for business owners, MYSUN offers a wide variety of easy solar financing options that will allow you to pay for your solar system in easy installments, from the savings you make with solar.

Start Your Solar Journey at India Machine Tools Expo

We at MYSUN are committed to providing our customers with the most reliable and premium rooftop solar solutions and services. If you are in the business of machinery manufacturing or consumption, and are looking to steer your business towards greater profits. Rooftop solar is the solution for you.

For any query get in touch with MYSUN Solar Advisors here, and meet us for a detail discussion at the India Machine Tools Show held from 14th to 17th June 2019, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India.

To start your solar journey right away schedule a site survey by clicking below.

Image source: Newsmobile.in

Hyderabad, also known as the city of pearls, is one of the most economically flourishing cities in India. Reputed as a global hub for trade in the past, the city has grown to become the largest contributor to Telangana State’s GDP.

In the past decade, Hyderabad has become a host to some of Silicon Valley’s biggest global technology companies such as Google, Amazon, Deloitte, Infosys, Facebook to name a few; and has become a leading IT hub with a number of emerging start-ups, SMEs and MSMEs. The city is also home to a number of manufacturing industries, such as automobiles and auto parts manufacturing, textiles, apparel, and pharmaceutical.

The Rising Energy Demand in Hyderabad, Telangana

Due to the emergence of new-age businesses and industries in the city and the continuous power supply to the agricultural and industrial sectors; the power demand has only risen in the city and state of Telangana.

The per capita consumption of electricity in Telangana is around 1,507 units which is much higher than the all India per capita consumption of 1,122 units. In fact, just recently the state of Telangana registered its highest ever peak power demand of 10,429 MW in July 2018.

Furthermore, the state offers free 24x7 power supply to its agricultural sector and has curtailed the number of power cuts faced by residents of the state and its thriving capital.

The Solar Potential of Hyderabad, Telangana

As per a joint study conducted by Greenpeace and the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) - Hyderabad ranks only second in solar energy generation potential with 1,730 MW, behind New Delhi which has a generation potential of 2GW. This clearly showcases immense potential for expansion and market penetration for solar companies in Hyderabad.

Of Telangana's current target of installing 5000 MW solar capacity, the city of Hyderabad alone will contribute 34% of the total capacity addition. At the current pace, the city can emerge as the leading city when it comes to renewable energy in India.

Prominent businesses and institutions in Hyderabad have already started their move to solar. A perfect example is Amazon, which recently installed close to 1600 kW of solar panels at its fulfilment centres in Hyderabad and Delhi.

Why should Businesses switch to Solar Energy in Hyderabad, Telangana?

There are already growing environmental concerns, as Hyderabad is reported to have the highest annual Particulate Matter (PM) levels amongst Telangana's eleven districts and cities. Hyderabad has emerged as one of the leading tech and business hubs in the country, home to a growing ecosystem of SMEs and MSMEs and mainlining Solar Power in Hyderabad will only add to the city’s growth. While traditional forms of electricity generated via thermal power plants can meet the growing energy demand, this will eventually come at a great cost to businesses, not to mention the environment. Apart from environmental concerns, going solar can help businesses save millions on inflated electricity bills.

Let’s take an example - if a typical metal structure manufacturing company in Hyderabad consumes around 3,80,000 units a month, the monthly electricity bills as per the current commercial rates can go up to approximately INR 29,86,800/- By opting for solar energy, the bill amount can be greatly reduced to INR 3,30,000 - a direct saving of up to 88%!

Below is detailed solar scorecard on the businesses’ estimated savings as projected by the MYSUN Solar Calculator:

As you can see, there is indeed great potential to save with solar for large scale businesses in Hyderabad. In addition to the financial benefits; installing a rooftop solar system can increase property value, ensure return on investment and provide peace of mind for the next 25 years. Not to forget the leadership position that you and your company could take by making the move.

If you are business or an industry owner in Hyderabad, it is time for you to look towards rooftop solar as an alternative solution and say goodbye to steep electricity bills.

MYSUN is one of the top Solar Companies in Telangana. Calculate your businesses’ personalized solar savings with the MYSUN solar calculator and start your solar journey today.

Maharashtra has one of the highest electricity tariffs in India for residential consumers. It is a well known fact that an urban city consumers, along with the industries and commercial establishments, contribute to the state government subsidize the electricity for farmers. With little respite from the populist measures of subsidizing electricity costs for the rural consumers, high transmission and distribution losses and an ever increasing cost of electricity from sources like coal and gas, we will continue to have our electricity tariffs going up by 4~5% every year for several years to come. This means that the approximate Rs 7/unit tariff will go up to more than Rs 30/unit in the next 25 years. That definitely does not bode very well. The only way to tackle this problem of rising  electricity tariffs is by producing your own power. The only viable solution to do that is by going solar and that too in a highly economical and reliable manner. This is where your vacant rooftop comes to your rescue. If you have an unused rooftop, today, every homeowner can save lacs of rupees by installing a rooftop solar power system. And in the process, also make a huge contribution to the environment and to their children’s future. Would it not be awesome to take a decision today and make a difference for the full 25 years? Look at the illustration below, derived from the MYSUN Solar Calculator. Mr Pant lives in Wakad in Pune and pays Rs 8000 per month electricity bill. By installing a solar system of 6kW, his monthly electricity bill reduces by approx 98% to Rs 165 per month, which is the fixed meter cost. And with a solar system life of 25 years, he ends up saving Rs 26.7 Lakh overall with 35.7% Return on Investment. As you can see from the illustration above that there is a lot of merit in going solar. Pune is a city that receives an abundance of sunlight and the Solar Policy of Maharashtra is one that encourages all residents to make the move to the sunny side. Therefore, there is definitely no better time to Go Solar than now. In the case above, Net Metering has been switched on since the state allows it. In case you are wondering what is Net Metering, it is a process where all the extra units that you generate from your solar system that go unused, are sent back to the main grid and adjusted monthly against your consumption from the grid. Going solar will not just be a great financial investment because the biggest benefit of all is that you will be making a difference and a positive environmental impact by moving to greener and cleaner source of energy. So, if you are living in Pune or areas close by, going solar for your home, Industries or even a Commercial establishment makes a lot of financial sense. You can get in touch with us at ‭+91 98731 67009‬ to get a free consultation with our Solar Advisors, who will explain you the case of going solar in greater details. For anything more, you can also e-mail us at: [email protected]

When we started MYSUN we wanted to bring a change in the way solar is perceived and purchased in India. For the same, you would have noticed that we have taken several interesting steps in marketing solar and ensuring it reaches out to the masses effectively.  In line with our vision, MYSUN is pleased to announce the MYSUN Affiliate Program. The Affiliate Program or the MYSUN Channel Partner Program gives you the power to channelize your network, selling skills and passion to not only earn high regular income but also to be the crusader of change by promoting the cause of green and clean energy.

To put it in a simple language are affiliate program/ channel partner program is a unique higher rewarding program run by the expert team of MYSUN.  Through the Affiliate program, the participants can become Solar Channel Partner and stand to earn up to Rupees 10 lacs per annum or even more depending on the efforts they put in. The more customers you refer, the higher you stand to earn.

A unique feature of the program is the level of engagement our team does with you as well as the ease of managing all your references and interactions with MYSUN in a simple manner on our website (www.itsmysun.com).  Our extensive training and experience program provides the Affiliates/Solar Channel Partners all the required skills, knowledge, tools, etc. in the field of solar energy to participate. This program is designed for people who are enthusiastic about bringing a change in the society, care about our environment, possess good speaking and convincing skills and want to see India become a solar power very soon.  So whether you are a Wealth Manager, an Ex-Armed Forces Personnel, a PSU/Bank Employee or even a Community Builder, you are welcome to participate. In fact, we welcome people from all spheres of working backgrounds to join the MYSUN Affiliate Program. What's more is that through this opportunity you can earn over and above your existing income and be a leader of change for tomorrow.

The working of the program is really simple. You start by registering your interest with us on https://www.itsmysun.com/solar-business-affiliate-program/ and we will get in touch with you with the requisites. Post a successful enrolment, MYSUN will equip you with the requisite training, tools, and material that would help you achieve valuable conversions. Once you have all the knowledge and training, you reach out to your family members, friends, and other contacts to convince them to go solar. The Affiliate team will verify the lead and post a successful installation a success fee is automatically credited to your account. It is really as simple as that.

You should know that the Affiliate Program is 100% safe and reliable source of income for you. For more details, you can visit the Affiliate Program here or simply call us on 9871936466 or drop an email on [email protected].

“Solar power cost drops to Rs 4.23/unit fixed tariff for 25 years”

“Government targets 100,000 MW solar power by 2022”

“By 2030, solar power to make up 18% of Indian energy generation”

“Solar Impulse, the first plane running on solar power, completes its round-the-world tour.”

These are just some of the headlines that you must have read in the newspapers or magazines recently. Everyone is talking Solar.

There’s a sense of optimism within traditional and digital media alike when it comes to India’s pledge and subsequent march to the advancement of clean energy. To be fair, it is high time as well! Unless you’re a conspiracy theorist par excellence, the altruistic and utilitarian nature of the Sun’s radiation have been well documented and accepted for (literally) an eternity. As it stands, 300 million unconnected Indians will have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of power such as education, better standards of living and economic benefits that are beyond their current realm of possibility. Not just the less fortunate ones, the remaining population stands a chance to improve their quality of living a few dozen times over and earn the love of mother nature by moving towards cleaner fuel.

While this makes for an interesting dinner table conversation and unquestionably positive PR for policy makers, the herculean task at hand makes for slightly murkier comprehension. 100,000 MW is approximately twenty times India’s current solar energy production capacity as well as more than all of Europe’s solar output put together at the start of 2015. Moreover, solar power makes up a mere 1 percent of India’s total energy generation today. So while we are talking of great ideas and big fundamental changes, fact remains that we are still in the nascent stage as far as the big move towards solar goes.

What brings about this sudden economy and push for solar? While one aspect has been the need or demand of a cleaner and greener solution for producing electricity, you cannot discount that solar as a solution itself has come leaps and bounds, both in terms of costs and efficiency. The initial setup costs of installing a solar system or a plant have dropped substantially and today, you break-even this investment fairly quickly. You not only reduce your energy bills from the first day but also accumulate huge lifetime savings. Think of it as an investment which gives high double digit post-tax returns. And compare this with other traditional investment returns you get (FDs, Mutual funds, etc.). Solar is way ahead of a lot of these investment instruments. We just need to look at it from a different perspective.  For utility scale solar (the kind that is greater than 1MW and connected to high voltage transmission grids), the cost of electricity generated has already fallen below the cost of power generated from imported coal and according to KPMG estimates, is expected to become 10% lower than domestic coal by 2022.

Additionally, the rudderless practices that plague distribution grids have created a formidable case for rapid adoption of solar. You just need to come to terms with the fact that the cost of power you pay to your distribution company includes all their inherent inefficiencies including transmission and distribution losses and all the free and subsidized power they sell due to political reasons.

You could argue that this is a state issue and a central policy initiative. It doesn’t affect you, right? But think of it like this, you are the homeowner, who has to deal with multiple power cuts during the day, and then pay the exorbitant prices for inverter usage. You are the hotelier that has to pump lakhs and lakhs of rupees into diesel generators to make sure your property has uninterrupted power. You are the industrialist that pays higher rates for electricity from the grid, since state utilities have capped prices for the residential users. It very well affects you and that is why you and only you can make the choice to go solar!

Begrudgingly joining the media circus, we think it is about time you thought of alternatives for your property. An efficient infrastructural addition that alleviates these issues and brings you the clean energy that you can be proud of and also rely upon. A completely transparent facilitator, who creates a personalised plan for your energy requirements. And in doing all this also ensures world class technology and standards are maintained and adhered to. Better yet, someone that simplifies all this white noise for you and holds your hand as you begin to take up this fulfilling journey of solar. Watch this space, because bet you, we are up to something electric!

-Team MYSUN

Around the world in 80 days, in a tuk tuk, powered by solar? Not really in 80 days! Even though, it would make for a wonderful sequel to the Jules Verne classic, we are not talking about a fictional story here.

An Australian-Indian engineer Naveen Rabelli, has set about on a unique journey where he has planned a trip from Kochi all the way to London in a tuk tuk. Yes, you read that correct. The story would be far more believable if the narrative was written about as much in news as the Solar Impulse aircraft, but it truly is about a man travelling 10,000 odd kilometers in a tuk tuk that is powered by electricity and solar power.

Rabelli has been on the road for seven months now, and hopes to reach Buckingham Palace around mid of September, which would mark the end of this extra-ordinary voyage. The journey was scheduled to be completed earlier, but Rabelli was unfortunately robbed of his passport and cash from the tuk tuk in Sarcelles, north of Paris. Such has been the popularity of the tuk tuk, which cost Rabelli about $1500 upfront and another $11,500 in modifications, that it has been given its own name, Tejas. There is a dedicated Facebook page for the same, that Rabelli maintains  to keep all us up to date about his journey. You can follow the same here.

The tuk tuk has a top speed of 60 kmph, and has been a project that Rabelli has worked on for four years now, pouring all his savings into the same. His mission has been  to showcase to the world a sustainable and a cost effective solution for transportation while ensuring zero-emission. The tuk tuk, before halting in Paris has crossed about ten countries, starting from India. These include: Iran, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Being an electric vehicle, the tuk tuk has three lithium-ion batteries that are responsible for running the main motor. In case, there is no socket for power supply, like several villages of India, there is an overhead solar panel that is placed on the tuk tuk to recharge the battery and ensure that the tuk tuk is on the road, moving.

Going has not been easy for Rabelli who had met with an accident, back in India, just before he set out on this epic journey, which delayed the flag off by at least 6 months. There have been flat tyres, mechanical failure and roads have not been too kind. There have been nights on the journey where he has had to unscrew the second seat in the cargo and make a bed to sleep at night in the vehicle alone. On good days, there have been people who have been welcoming and have given him warmth and hospitality that he has been only glad to share with the world via his Facebook page.

As they say, where there is a will there is a way, Rabelli has continued defying the odds and we are sure that the setback in France is not going to dampen his spirits. From the entire team of MYSUN, we wish Rabelli the best and cannot wait for him to reach the finishing line.

Before we get going with this solar panel installation guide – especially with MYSUN – we are sure you are wondering why should install a solar panel at home in the first place?

If you've been thinking about solar panel installation, there's no better time to do it than now. The cost of photovoltaic (PV) cells and therefore the Solar PV Systems has reduced substantially, and it’s an excellent project to install a solar panel at home for several reasons. For a start, you'll save loads on your electricity bill, and may even be able to sell some of the power that you generate back to the utility company. Just in case you are curious to know how much can you actually save through solar panel installation, you may want to run our in-house designed Solar calculator, called MYSUNCalculator, which provides you with the potential to save. Aside from your savings, you'll also reduce your carbon footprint, and if you’re installing a solar system in a remote location (such as a cabin or a telecom tower), you will have much less to worry about than you would, since you’ll use a diesel generator. Beyond this, you will also support a growing industry, and in doing so help contribute to the worldwide adoption of this wonderful new energy source in the form of solar panel installation. So instead of you asking us ‘why solar’, we put the question to you, ‘why not solar?’

Now that we have introduced you to the massive list of benefits that can be accrued from solar panel installation, let us get down to how do you go about getting this magic in your world. Here’s a guide detailing how to install solar panels step-by-step.

Step 1 - Review the physical installation options.

• Do you have room on your roof or on your property for solar panel installation? If yes, then how much area (in sq. ft. or sq. mt.) would you be able to spare?
• Would you rather have panels on your rooftop or on the ground where you can reach them easily?
• Does the sun shine bright on this area for most of the daylight hours?
• Do shadows from trees or other structures fall on this area at certain parts of the day or not?
• Is your roof structurally sound enough to bear the weight of solar panels and racks?
• Will you be able to orient your solar panels towards south, so that the winter sun hits the panels in the most optimally perpendicular manner possible at noon?

(As you may have noticed, that there is quite a bit of things you need to consider and take care of before solar panel installation. If these questions sound too complicated to you and you are in no mood to research for the answers, you can always reach out to us from the Contact Us page, and the MYSUN team would be more than glad to help you with the installation options and other relevant details for you)

Step 2 – Load Calculation

Now that you have assessed the physical installation options, the next step is to calculate how much power you would need once you install a solar panel at home. Since solar panels are measured by how much energy they can absorb, this will tell you how many panels to buy, how efficient they need to be, and perhaps – most importantly – how much space you're going to require for solar panel installation. Don't worry; this process is no longer complicated thanks to our advanced tool MYSUN Calculator where just in a few easy steps, you can get a fairly accurate assessment of your solarization potential and can also get a personalized solar scorecard.

Step 3 – Grid Tied or Off Grid System?

Next up is a step that’ somewhat technical. But do not worry, we have simplified solar panel installation for you under our FAQ and Solar Essentials sections. And if you still have queries, we are just a click away (write to us at [email protected]). It is time to decide between a Grid Tied (On-Grid) or an Off-Grid System.

Grid Tied or On-Grid: An on-grid system is a form of solar panel installation which is interconnected with your existing electrical system. The solar energy generated is simultaneously consumed, and if the solar panels are not generating sufficient energy to cater to your consumption needs, the differential is automatically sourced from the grid. It is also possible to connect the system with batteries, home inverters, diesel generators, etc.

Off Grid: An off-grid system is an independent, battery-backed solar panel installation system which is not connected to any grid. During daytime, the solar energy that’s generated runs your appliances. Any excess energy is stored in the batteries, which can be utilized at night. Off-grid systems are used for standalone applications like traffic & streetlights, billboards, agricultural pumps, telecom towers, rural applications, etc.

Now that you know the difference between grid-tied and off-grid systems, you need to decide what kind of solar panel installation system is appropriate for you.

Step 4 - Decide how much to invest and how to finance it

After load calculation and deciding what kind of system fits your overall solar panel installation requirements, you can easily check how much the process to install a solar panel at home is going to cost you. You must also determine recurring costs and performance estimates for PV systems, including maintenance costs, system lifetime, expansion potential, warranty, and so on. Once you have the cost, you have to make a choice; whether you are going to spend the money out of your pocket or are going to look at solar financing options. MYSUN provides the best industry benchmarked pricing to you along with options to finance your solar panel installation cost as per your convenience.

Step 5 – Get the installation done

Now that the money is in place, it is time to locate contractors and go out for formal bids. Our suggestion to you is to talk to as many contractors as you can, and ask them as many questions as you can think of. Get them to give you a personal visit at your house/office/ building and look at your solar panel installation situation in greater detail. Do not give anyone a contract to install a solar panel at home unless and until they have given your place a personal visit and assessed the area and location thoroughly. Also, make sure you deal with experienced, quality and reliable installers only. MYSUN brings to your fingertips the entire process of receiving and evaluating quotes from different pre-screened solar installers to get the right quality and commercial terms.

Step 6 – Permits/ Incentives

Permits are usually not required for off-grid systems or on-grid solar panel installation systems for captive consumption. For on-grid systems, if you choose to go for net metering or gross metering, certain approvals are required. These approvals usually vary from state to state and depend on the type and size of solar panel installation. Your solar system installer will either guide you in this process or take up ownership of this process.

Several incentives are available for rooftop solar PV plants in India. The specifics of the incentives could vary from one state to another. These incentives broadly fall under the following categories:

• Accelerated Depreciation (for companies)
• Capital Subsidy
• Priority Sector Lending
• Net-metering

Step 7 – Maintain and repair your system

Your solar system does not need too much of maintenance, but it is still important to take care of a few things. Cleaning the solar panels is a critical aspect to ensure good performance from your system. And as with any mechanical or electrical appliance, PV systems require some routine and periodic checks, though not very exhaustive. You may be able to carry out many routine inspections and maintenance tasks yourself. If, however, you are not the do-it-yourself types, or if there is a major problem with your solar panel installation system, you will need to locate a professional to do the work. Keeping an eye on the generation will help you catch any potential problem early and thereby avoiding you any major energy generation or savings loss.

Home solar panel installation is not very complicated, and it isn't terribly expensive either. In the long run, you can save a lot of money on your energy bills, and even make money by selling power back to the utility company. Once you know the parts of a solar system, the entire process is much less intimidating - it's just a matter of adapting the formula to your specific situation. You are always invited to stop by itsmysun.com for more learning articles, solar news stories, affordable solar systems and components, or if you have any questions, for a solar expert. And if beyond all this, there is anything that is related to solar and you were unable to trace back in the article or on our site, remember we are just a hello away using the Contact Us page or our Social Media platforms.

There is a fat possibility that you may have discovered this article via one of our Social Networks. We all use the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and several other cool stuff like Snapchat tens of times a day. With India moving towards 3G and now crawling towards LTE, checking social media on the fly has become more of a habit than just a need. While we are checking sites these sites or as the case is now, apps, we end up being concerned largely  about the ever-looming ‘Low Battery’ notification on the smartphone or overshooting the mobile data. But, have you ever wondered how much energy is expended, every time you decide to fire Facebook app or post that selfie with your friends on Instagram?

Broadly speaking, every time you decide to use the internet, there are majorly two devices that tend to consume the power, the peripheral on which you are connected and viewing the content and the other being the data center. However, the third factor, which is the energy required to transport data that brings you your favorite websites over mobile network is overlooked. According to a report published by Ericsson, each GB of data that is transported over mobile network, or in simpler terms 3G or 4G, utilizes 2kWh of electricity. So by the same estimate, if you happen to use Facebook for about 5 minutes as you wait to board the next metro or the auto-rickshaw, you would have consumed enough electricity that would have been enough to power an LED bulb for an hour. Similarly, a Youtube video streamed for 45 seconds would consume enough energy to power the same bulb for another hour.

If you like downloading movies, then a typical bollywood movie, from the internet is about 700MB to about a GB in size. This means that downloading it via mobile data utilised enough energy, which could have powered an LED bulb for 200 hours. And that doesn’t even include the power that your device and the data centre consumed for the minutes that the movie was downloading. Staggering isn’t it?

So how can you help conserve energy, even as you do something as common as surfing Facebook? The obvious one would be to use solar to power the devices through which you connect to the internet. You could start by buying a solar mobile charger or power bank. If this article has got you interested about your overall energy consumption habits you could evaluate installing a rooftop solar system using the MYSUN website. Not only does it have advanced tools to help you estimate your possible savings from solar, but also helps you pick the right solar solution, get it installed and set you up with the right maintenance plan. The next would be to switch to using broadband internet when you are doing more intensive browsing like downloading movies. This helps as data is generally transported over optical fibres or undersea links, which are more energy efficient and do not consume energy as much as data flowing over mobile does.

When it comes to data centers, not a lot of them are using PV Solar Panels to generate electricity. But the shift has begun. Several big brands, including Emerson, Intel and WorldBackups.net either have operational or under-construction data centers that are fully being powered by solar. There are several more that are in line to join this list.

With the population of mobile devices only set to grow and data per user always rising thanks to innovative players such as Reliance Jio entering the market, the energy required to browse the internet will only grow. As we have alluded to, solar can most definitely play its role and help out. With the support of faithful solar enthusiasts like you, and tech players like Apple, who claim to be using 100% renewable energy to power their data centers, we foresee a future, where one day, internet too, will be green, and powered by solar.