VEMC-Blogs

The Versatile Applications of PICO

As energy costs rise the world over, technologists and companies alike are working hard to find innovative solutions to meet the energy needs of businesses and communities. One such path-breaking idea is that of PICO developed by Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL). PICO is a pump that can be run in reverse and acts as a turbine to generate electricity. VEMC is a leader in solar power systems, solar EPC contracts, pumps, air compressors, and other electromechanical equipment, and in this blog, we tell you about the versatile applications of PICO.

Rural connectivity

One of the most pressing issues for India and the entire developing world is the lack of energy infrastructure deep in the rural infrastructure. Even in this day and age, this keeps thousands of villages in darkness. Well PICO can make a big difference in this regard by making village households somewhat energy self-sufficient. This can especially be used for lighting for studying, evening chores, family gatherings etc. thus improving the standard of life considerably.

Remote farms

By supplying electricity to remote farms for lighting, pumping, irrigation etc. PICO can help a great deal in bolstering the energy availability in India’s agriculture sector. It is especially crucial for off-grid farms and can help them generate and store their own electricity.

High rise buildings

With its compact and easy-to-install design, PICO can be conveniently used in high-rise buildings which typically have lots of confined spaces. It can be a quick and easy source of power without the hassles of too much wiring and labour costs. With the flexibility that PICO offers, it can provide power as per the demands of the building. Being a highly energy-efficient solution, PICO can help significantly reduce the electric bills of any high-rise and also reduce its carbon footprint.

Battery charging and other intermittent load operations

In times of power outage, PICO can act as a great source of energy to charge your inverter, phone or laptop, and also keep your WiFi connectivity going. This can enable you to work from home even in times of outages and load shedding, which can otherwise significantly hamper your business or professional commitments.

Small grid-connected power plants

PICO can seamlessly integrate with small grid-connected power plants thanks to its standardised interface. By maintaining power frequency, quality and voltage levels, it contributes to grid stability. It also helps in managing power efficiently through strategies like peak shaving and load shedding. This has significant cost-related benefits for the grids. With its scalable design, PICO can help small power plants expand their supply as the power demand grows. 
PICO is one of the most outstanding innovations by KBLs exceptional engineers and has the potential to transform the small-scale energy domain. To know more about PICO, feel free to get in touch by calling us on 022 43436655 or emailing us at marketing@vemc.co.in. VEMC is a leader in solar power systems, solar EPC contracts, pumps, air compressors, and other electromechanical equipment.

Solar Panel Cleaning and Maintenance: Methods and Scheduling

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Solar Panel Cleaning and Maintenance: Methods and Scheduling

If you own a solar power system, you would realise that it is all about exposing the maximum surface of the panels to the sun for maximum possible time. What can really affect its performance and efficiency is barriers like dust and debris. This makes it extremely important to clean and maintain the panels regularly. We at VEMC are the leading solar panel consultants and installers based in Mumbai, and in this blog we talk about cleaning and maintaining your solar panels.

Factors affecting cleaning frequency

While it is necessary to clean your solar panels regularly, it cannot be feasible in terms of cost and labour to do so too frequently. Here are some decisive factors that determine how frequently you must clean your panels:

  1. Environmental conditions: The larger environmental context you are located in is the foremost factor to determine your cleaning frequency. For instance, you may need to clean the panels more often if you’re located in the middle of a busy urban centre or near a factory, as compared to a bucolic rural setting.
  • Dust accumulation: How much dust accumulates on your panels in a given setting will also determine the cleaning frequency. Dust could be raised by heavy traffic or industrial processes like mining or stone crushing.
  • Bird droppings: Another widely noticed barrier to sunlight shining on your panels is bird droppings. If your facility has a lot of trees nearby, it is quite likely that birds would fly over your panels and pound them with their droppings. This will make regular cleaning necessary.

Safe and effective cleaning methods

Cleaning your solar panels is quite simple and straightforward but for the sake of longevity, you must keep a few guidelines in mind.

  1. Use water and mild detergent: Use de-ionised, rain or tap water to clean your panels. Make sure the water is clean to prevent any mud or contaminants from remaining behind on the panels. Do not use any abrasive, acidic or alkalic cleaners on your panels. A regular mild detergent should do.
  2. Specialised cleaning brushes: These days, a lot of sellers are offering brushes made specifically for solar panels. These are often motorised and can clean in both linear and circular motion. Most importantly, they clean without leaving any marks or scratches on the surface.
  • Robotic cleaners: These are automated systems used to clean solar panel surfaces. These operate by using a combination of mechanical and smart technologies to clean efficiently. These are especially useful when your solar panels are out of reach or located too precariously for manual cleaning.

Recommended cleaning schedules

Solar panels must typically be cleaned twice a year. However, regular inspections are necessary to take more precise decisions and get maximum efficiency. Besides, the above-mentioned factors will also play a key role in scheduling your cleaning.

To get the most out of your solar power systems, cleaning and maintaining them is essential. We at VEMC offer comprehensive solar EPC contracts to our clients which cover everything your solar power system needs post purchase. For more on this, feel free to call us on 022 43436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in.