Does Colour Play a Role in the Way Solar Panels Function?

Solar panels are designed to absorb incoming solar radiation and use it to generate electricity. It is recommended that we shift our electricity needs from other non-renewable sources to solar energy as it is renewable, relatively safe for the environment, and cheaper to maintain. With the help of solar software, which has increased the effectiveness and usefulness of solar electricity, solar power is now widely used in utilities, businesses, homes, and other applications. It is interesting to note that majority of solar panels are dark blue and black in colour. However, coloured solar panels are also gaining in popularity. So, which colour solar panel is the best for you to buy?

Choosing the right solar panels for your project

Comparing two types of coloured solar panels

First, let’s compare the two most common types of solar panels- black monocrystalline and blue polycrystalline. Black coloured panels are more energy-efficient than blue coloured panels. This means that they require fewer solar cells to absorb larger amounts of solar energy. The advantages of this would be increased solar power generation and conservation of space. Black solar panels also come with a 25-year guarantee and so are well worth the investment. Blue solar panels on the other hand are priced lower and have a relatively low maintenance cost. It therefore can be said that monocrystalline (black) panels are more efficient than polycrystalline (blue) panels, however, this efficiency comes with higher costs. Furthermore, considering environmental factors, blue-coloured solar panels create less waste and generate a lower carbon footprint.

Other colours of solar panels

Other colours of solar panels are available mainly for aesthetic reasons. For example, green-coloured solar panels are recommended for areas surrounded by greenery as they can blend into the surroundings well. Similarly, some buildings may require solar panels of a colour similar to the colour of a building as black or blue panels could be distracting against a building of a contrasting colour. It is true that coloured solar panels come with higher prices and are less efficient. However, solar technology is rapidly growing, and efforts are being made to increase its efficiency and make its availability cheaper.

VEMC, one of the top solar companies in Mumbai, provides solar panel installation in Mumbai. VEMC provides solar o&m services as well. For more information on our products and help selecting the right ones for you, contact us at +91 98199 07445. With over 72 years of industry experience, VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services.

How Commercial Solar Can Become The Essence Of Businesses

If you own a business, you are probably familiar with rising electricity costs. Switching to solar energy offers many benefits that can help you override ride. Let’s look at some of the advantages that commercial solar can provide to your business:

Reduce Overhead Costs 

A huge benefit of installing solar is the resulting elimination of overhead costs of energy. On average, you can save about three-quarters of your electric energy costs by making this transition. Moreover, you will have access to a consistent energy supply that is clean and reliable.

Sustainability and Longevity 

In the years to come, industries will be steadily less dependent on costly fossil fuels due to more regulations on emissions from petrol and coal. Clean and green energy that is environmentally sustainable will be the order of the day. You can make the switch to renewable solar energy and reap the benefits from now.

Energy Independence

Changing to solar energy also gives you independence from commercial sources of electricity, so despite what happens to the grid, you can avail of your own supply whenever you need it. Power failures and other contingencies that cause downtime will no longer be an issue. With solar power, you can also choose to store electricity through a battery system. This will give you a backup source of power during the night or in low light.

Tax Benefits

Governments tend to provide enormous tax rebates and financial aid for businesses using renewable energy. This can be a huge relief and cut down on your overall costs substantially. Look up what the regulations in your state or country are, and make a decision accordingly.

Long-term Financial and Environmental Returns 

Although the cost of solar panel installation may seem high at the outset, it is an investment that yields exponential benefits over the long run. Be it financial or environmental, costs keep declining significantly in the coming years when you choose to use solar energy. In this regard, solar power provides very high returns on investment while keeping your business sustainable in the long term. What’s more, more and more consumers are leaning toward brands with green practices, so this can boost your brand image too.   

You can consult an expert in solar power installation among the top solar companies in Mumbai to ensure a smooth installation.

VEMC is a well-established solar power plant company and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. VEMCO Solar is a market leader in solar solutions — be it solar plant erection, procurement, commissioning, net metering, or electrical connections. If you have any requirements in this space, please reach out to us at +91 98199 07445, and we will be happy to provide you with customized support and services.

Redefining the Value of Solar Energy for Businesses Post-Pandemic

As India continues to make headlines for housing a staggering 17 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world, switching to using renewable solar energy as the predominant source of fuel gains more and more prominence. Although electric vehicles are gaining in popularity on Indian roads, it may be a while before this becomes the mainstream practice in the country. The government is working on creating and implementing more sustainable policies that industries will need to adhere to in order to reduce carbon emissions and pollution.

How manufacturing Industries can reduce their cost of operations post  Lockdown through Solar energy at zero cost??? | Solar Panel Installation  Company in Mumbai | Visol India

Lower costs as many businesses suffered losses during the pandemic

Adopting cleaner renewable energy like solar has become even more relevant since the Covid-19 pandemic. The long-term costs of energy sources like wind and solar are significantly lower than fossil fuels and could benefit businesses that have suffered losses brought about by the pandemic. India is an extremely price-sensitive region so this is a major factor to keep in mind. What’s more, tariffs have fallen drastically since 2010, so it would make sense for industries to adopt solar energy on a wider scale in a bid to combat the effects of climate change. Although certain factors like a cutback on trade with Chinese factories have driven up the price of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules slightly, this is only temporary and not very likely to last in the long term. In fact, solar still remains the cheaper option for industrial and commercial businesses. What’s more, innovative technology in this regard continues to advance rapidly, signalling a further reduction in costs.

Catering to environmentally conscious customers

Additionally, the conversation around sustainability and renewable energy has extended into the realms of regular consumers today who are much more conscious of the choices they make when it comes to environmental responsibility. More and more consumers are leaning towards brands and businesses that adopt renewable energy and cleaner environmental practices. Even at home, many people are looking to install solar panels on their rooftops for greater financial savings in the long term, as well as having the satisfaction of making a more responsible choice.

Creation of jobs

The creation of employment opportunities is another key factor for corporations and the government to consider switching to solar energy as a prevalent practice. The growth of the solar energy sector has provided a minimum of 50 jobs per 1 to 2 MW of solar installations.

Climate change crisis and the need for renewable energy

As the climate change crisis takes a bigger toll internationally, there is pressure on all countries to make greater efforts to reduce their carbon emissions to protect the environment for future generations. The government is looking for ways to incentivize the adoption of solar energy, which means that there is likely to be a further decrease in costs and an increase in financial and social benefits for both consumers and businesses. This is also resulting in more awareness of the topic, with more parties willing to conserve the planet and contribute to a greener future. Indeed, switching to solar energy is an easy way to do this.

VEMC is a well-established solar power plant company and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. VEMCO Solar is among the top solar companies in Mumbai and a market leader in solar solutions — be it solar plant erection, procurement, commissioning, net metering, or electrical connections. If you have any requirements in this space, please reach out to us at 022-43436655 or marketing@vemc.co.in, and we will be happy to provide you with customized support and services.

What You Need to Know About Solar Panels & Other Components Before Installing A Solar Power System

So you’ve decided to make the shift to using a greener, more renewable source of energy for your business or household. Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, you would want to know how to go about installing a solar power system in your home or facility. We’ve got you covered. Here are some of the main components of the system that you need to know the uses of in order to understand how to proceed with the installation process.

Solar Power System

A solar power plant or system is made up of various components that collectively work to convert sunlight into electricity and transfer it into a form that can be used to power your home or facility. It serves to provide a smarter, sustainable solution to minimize electricity consumption and environmental pollution.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panel

The solar panel forms the backbone of the system. Also known as the solar or photovoltaic (PV) cell, the solar panel performs the crucial function of converting thermal energy from the sun into electricity. There are also certain types of solar panels like monocrystalline and polycrystalline. You need to choose a solar panel based on its efficiency, space requirements, warrant, and cost. The output from the panel is ultimately what matters most.

Battery Charge Controller

The battery charge controller manages the voltage and flow of current from the panels to the battery. It tracks the voltage in the battery and regulates the current accordingly. If the battery is charged completely, it will reduce the current. The controller maintains charge so that the battery is ready to be used.

Net Metering

With net metering, any electricity that you don’t use gets converted back into the grid for later use. It can also be sold back to the utility company and only your net usage of the electricity gets billed.

On-Grid System

An on-grid or grid-tied solar system facilitates the transfer of the surplus or deficiency in the converted electricity back to the grid through net metering. With a net metering, this lets you save on your electricity bills.

Solar Inverter

A solar or photovoltaic inverter converts the electricity that is direct current (DC) from the photovoltaic solar panel into alternating current (AC) which an electrical grid can consume. The solar inverter is one of the most important components of a solar power system.

Installing the solar power system, including the panels and inverter, is a highly specialized task that is best conducted professionally. You can consult an expert in solar power installation among the top solar companies in Mumbai to ensure a smooth installation.

VEMC is a well-established solar power plant company and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment and services. VEMCO Solar is a market leader in solar solutions — be it solar plant erection, procurement, commissioning, net metering, or electrical connections. If you have any requirements in this space, please reach out to us at 022 43436655, and we will be happy to provide you with customized support and services.

O&M Issues in PV Solar Energy

Solar PV Operations and Maintenance

Solar power systems have a life-span of 20-25 years which makes their Operations and Maintenance (O&M) very important. This is to maximise energy production and minimise maintenance costs over the lifetime of the system. Maintenance is a continuous process which not only reduces the risks and costs associated with sudden breakdowns, but also keeps the system at prime efficiency levels. Fortunately, solar systems have lower maintenance and servicing requirements as compared to other energy generating technologies. In this blog, we’ll take you through some of the common O&M issues of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems and the approach to deal with them.

Natural Degradation

All solar cells degrade naturally, regardless of the environment they are installed in. However, the rate of degradation depends on the material of the PV panels. For instance, monocrystalline silicon panels have the lowest rate of degradation while copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) panels have one of the highest. Since the material directly affects the cost of the panels, choosing the type of panels is essentially a planning, budgeting and investment decision.

Lightning Protection

Lightning strikes can damage the solar power system by causing a power surge within the array. It is important to have a grounding system in place to redirect the energy from the lightning, away from the panels and into the ground. While the mounting system of the panels itself plays the role of grounding it, the material of the mounting system must be chosen carefully. This also depends on the type of foundation of the system. Besides having a robust grounding system in place, it is advisable to install surge protection equipment for backup safety.

Failure of Components

Cracking of panels and their visual discolouration can affect the efficiency of the panels. Both of these are irreversible damages. High temperatures can damage the solar panels by producing hotspots on them. Inverter downtime is another common issue with PV solar systems and their scheduled maintenance is a critical part of a solar O&M strategy. For static solar panels, ideal panel orientation is necessary to get the highest output. In case of tracking systems, it is important to regularly check the moving parts like gearboxes, motors, and actuators.

Weather Conditions

The environment impacts the durability of PV systems and adequate measures must be taken to offset its effect. For instance, regular cleaning and wiping may be required in windy or arid areas while sloping solar panels can avoid an accumulation of snow in cold regions. In the case of hailstorms, protective covers could be useful to prevent damage to the panels.

That said, it’s absolutely necessary to have an O&M plan in place for your solar plant to alleviate long-term costs. At VEMCO Solar, our valued clients are provided with customized plans to fit all their needs. VEMCO Solar (Check out our story) offers end-to-end solutions and has empanelled channel partners with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, for solar PV rooftop, small power plant system integrators, and installation. Guided by the knowledge gained by VEMC over 72 years, our aim is to be by your side at every step of the way. VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. Please feel free to contact us on +91 98199 07445.