Residential PV

The story of residential rooftop solar is one of liberation. Confronted with high module prices, early PV adopters experienced significantly longer payback periods – it was not unheard of for homeowners to be making monthly finance payments higher than their utility bills. But consumers were motivated, seeking independence from the stranglehold that electricity providers had on them with ever-increasing utility rates.

Australian scientists have identified seven methods to prevent PV losses when overvoltage-induced inverter disconnections occur. The methods include battery storage, reactive power inverters, export limits, distribution static synchronous compensators, the replacement of old conductors in power grids, load reconfiguration, and dynamic voltage restoration.

A new report by ICRA says large-scale solar in the country will likely achieve the 60 GW target set by the Indian government. Rooftop solar and wind, however, will see a shortfall.  

The projects are to be carried out on a turnkey basis, with solar modules and inverters supplied by Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL). Bidding closes on August 4.

Dipal C Barua started installing rooftop solar systems in Bangladesh when the PV industry itself was in its infancy, with his company Grameen Shakti. Now heading up the Bright Green Energy Foundation, Barua installs small residential systems, streetlights, and irrigation pumps throughout rural Bangladesh under various government programs.

Dutch researchers have shown that power peaks caused by solar generation may be stronger under partial cloudiness than clear skies. According to their findings, mixed-cloud conditions can enhance PV power production due to light reflected off clouds, as well as their intermittent shadows on arrays, which reduce module temperatures.

With the latest robotic cleaning offering, the startup aims to capture the residential solar market that currently stands at a capacity of 4400 MW and is expected to reach 8500 MW by the end of 2020.

The state’s Solar Power Policy 2015 was due to expire since April 1, 2020. With a 9-month extension, solar power plants installed and commissioned till December end become eligible for the benefits and incentives declared under this policy.

The country—aiming for a renewable power target of 450 GW by 2030—has emerged as the world’s largest and most competitive clean energy auction market. 

Bids are invited to set up an aggregate 1 MW grid-connected rooftop solar capacity in residential sector across various locations in Bihar. The projects—in sizes of 1 kW to 10 kW and beyond 10 kW—are to be set up in turnkey mode. Bidding closes on July 8.