Standalone Photovoltaic Systems - an Overview

Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-alone_power_system

As we continue to increase our dependencies on gadgets and appliances in our day-to-day lives, our energy requirements have also proportionally increased. Depending on where you are located, you have a variety of options to meet these energy demands. One such promising option is the standalone solar photovoltaic (SSPV) system. It offers many benefits over other sources of energy, but also comes with its share of limitations. Let's explore.

What is a standalone solar PV system?

It is any contraption that can convert sunlight into usable electricity and does not rely on the electric grid to meet your requirements. SSPVs comprise of several components that come together to help you fulfil your energy needs. Typically, an SSPV system features rechargeable batteries that store electricity for use during the night and periods of inadequate sunlight, such cloudy days, rainy days, fogs and dust storms.

What are the components of an SSPV system?

Apart from an array of solar panels that usually output anywhere between 50 to 100+ watts, an SSPV system features batteries that convert electrical energy into stored chemical energy for later usage. They may also feature a charge controller that regulates electricity within the system to avoid over or undercharging the batteries. Fuses and isolation switches protect against shorting the wires by isolating components from electricity when not in use. These systems also require an inverter to convert DC power from the solar arrays into AC, to power your household appliances. Bringing all these components together, the wiring plays a crucial role and has to be correctly rated for the application as well as the voltage.

What are the benefits of an SSPV system?

Before opting in for an SSPV system, one must take into account all of its benefits and shortcomings. These systems are ideal for remote locations such as rural areas or temporary campsites as well as portable applications like in an RV, a camper van, boats etc. They offer free solar power with zero dependencies on the grid and are oftentimes cheaper and less time-consuming than having an electric company extend their power lines into the location of your choice.

What are the limitations of an SSPV system?

While these systems can fill a crucial gap in your energy requirement, they also come with some limitations. They require a dedicated space to set up that must also receive sunlight that is unobstructed by adjacent structures. During periods of inadequate sunlight and the night, these systems solely rely on their batteries. Installing such a system may involve one to make certain lifestyle choices like performing all energy-intensive tasks during the day time, switching to energy-efficient appliances, periodic calculations to keep track of energy utilisation and reinforcing measures to keep all unwanted appliances off at all times when not in use.

If you are planning on going solar, consider all the factors like availability of sufficient land/space, weather conditions in your location, your energy requirements as well as your budget. These systems are easy to set up but do require regular maintenance. It is therefore important to familiarize yourself with how such a system works and what it takes to keep it up and running. A great place to start is getting in touch with a reputable standalone solar PV system provider. At Sterling and Wilson Solar, we endeavour to design and develop unique solar solutions to unique problems, utilising industry best-practices to fully support your energy requirements. Let's go solar together!

A Comprehensive List of the Hotels Constructed by Shapoorji Pallonji Group

As a globally prestigious powerhouse and one of India's oldest construction companies, the Shapoorji Pallonji Group is the force behind some of the most iconic landmarks in the country with cutting-edge projects delivered all across the globe. The Group has constructed and engineered many thoughtfully designed manufacturing projects across sectors which includes stunning hotels for some of the most reputable names in the business. 

Here is a comprehensive list of the hotels constructed for well-known brands by Shapoorji Pallonji Engineering and Construction (SP E&C):

Taj Mahal Palace - Tower Wing in Mumbai (1970)

This extension of one of the most iconic landmarks in Mumbai is a 20-storey tower wing located right across the road from the Gateway of India facing the Arabian Sea.

Oberoi Towers in Mumbai (1973)

Standing as the tallest building in India when it was constructed, the structurally strong hotel has a part podium base rising to 25 floors that holds the tower firm.

Hotel Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi (2012)

Housing 369 guest rooms and suites that are spread over a whopping 1,370,000 sq. ft., this hotel is considered one of the finest five-star locations in the luxurious location of Abu Dhabi.

ITC Kohenur in Hyderabad (2017)

Offering the finest accomodation and dining services, this LEED 'Platinum Rated Green Building' certified, five-star luxury hotel has 271 rooms, 27 service apartments, and 7 suites including a presidential and grand presidential suite.

Vivanta by Taj in Guwahati (2015)

Another location of the iconic Taj Vivanta, this five-star luxury hotel is built with a blend of traditional and contemporary architecture, housing 150 rooms and luxury suites offering world-class accommodation.

Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Nedumbassery, Kochi (2012)

Located in close proximity to the Kochi International Airport, this four-star Marriott hotel offers upscale hospitality within a built up area of 1,76,000 sq. ft.

Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Edapally, Kochi (2013)

Another Marriott project location in Kochi, this luxury five-star business hotel has a built-up area of 3,50,000 sq. ft. situated within the Lulu International Shopping Mall.

Rove At The Park Hotel in Dubai (2019)

This three-star hotel is a part of Rove Hospitality LLC which is a subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC and has a capacity of 579 keys.

Rove City Centre Hotel in Dubai (2016)

Coming from a subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, this three-star Rove City Centre Hotel has a capacity of 270 keys.

Rove Downtown Hotel in Dubai (2016)

Another landmark construction project for Rove Hospitality LLC, this three-star hotel in Zabeel has a capacity of 420 keys.

Rove Dubai Marina Hotel in Dubai (2018)

This construction project for Rove Hospitality LLC, a subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, is a three-star hotel with a capacity of 384 keys.

Rove Healthcare City Hotel in Dubai (2017)

This is another three-star hotel constructed for Rove Hospitality LLC and is located at Oud Metha with a capacity of 286 keys.

Rove Trade Centre Hotel in Dubai (2017)

SP E&C constructed this 270-key, three-star hotel for Rove Hospitality LLC at Jafiliya, Dubai.

Vida Hotel in Dubai (2019)

Lining the Dubai Creek Harbour, this exquisite, 286-key capacity hotel was constructed for Lagoos Phase One LLC, a subsidiary of M/s Emaar Properties PJSC.

Top Best Cities to Invest in Africa

As the world truly comes closer and becomes one, more and more people are converging into cities. It is estimated that over half of the world's population now resides in cities. As centres of art, culture, trade and opportunity, cities reshape the landscape around them. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the developing world. And whether you reside in one or not, it is very likely that you will find yourself gravitating towards a city at some point of time in your life.

So when the time is right, what city would you go for? Let's take a look at some of the most promising African cities to invest in. While choosing the right city for residential or business purposes, one must take into account factors like accessibility, opportunities, infrastructure, demographic, geographic location, culture and cost of living. With this in mind, we look at the continent's most promising prospects.

When it comes to investing, the most important thing to look for is an upward trajectory. A strong middle-class population is indicative of great business opportunities and from this respect, a few names stand out immediately. Cities like Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Lusaka, the capital of Zambia take the top spot. Joining them are cities like Accra in Ghana, Lagos in Nigeria, Cairo in Egypt and Nairobi in Kenya. These cities form the new generation of economic powerhouses in the continent.

If you're itching to begin the next chapter of your personal or business life, a great city to start is Nairobi. It is shaping up to be an incredible growth market with a booming residential and commercial scene. The shining star on the block - Garden City - is Kenya's first integrated residential, retail and office development. With bustling apartment complexes, shopping malls, business hotels and medical facilities, Garden City is the perfect place to set up shop. And when you have your heart set into moving in, there's always Mi Vida, a residential complex that is all about living life to the fullest. It features meticulously designed affordable homes with modern fitments and luxury offerings. So, have you found the city of your dreams?

The Lifespan of a Solar Panel

As the climate crisis continues, solar energy is gaining popularity as an alternative source of energy for the home and businesses. Besides being a greener alternative, it is also cost-effective, allowing you to get ‘free’ energy from the sun for decades. The obvious question to ask is, how long would a solar panel efficiently power your needs before the end of its life? 

Unlike complex machinery, solar panels do not operate at 100% for a specific period of time before completely dying on us. Instead, solar panels slowly degrade with a reduction in efficiency as time and elements take their toll on the panels. Being simple contraptions with zero moving parts, solar panels are a reliable energy source despite being subjected to the harsh conditions of the outdoors.

Every solar panel has a solar degradation rate - the rate at which it gradually loses efficiency as time goes by. Generally, an industry average rate of 0.5% efficiency-loss per year is considered normal. This means that it would take 10 years for an average solar panel to go from being 100% efficient right after installation to becoming 95% efficient. Not bad, considering solar energy is free, regular, and abundant. However, at some point, a solar panel reaches a point of being too inefficient to power your needs. When a solar panel reaches about 85% efficiency, its ‘useful’ life is over and manufacturers will recommend replacing the panels.

The reason panels degrade is usually due to micro-cracks that develop as the panels flex with temperature variations and due to other factors. These tiny cracks make it more difficult for the free flow of the electrons and as a result, not all of the energy that a panel produces makes its way into your home or business. At some point, it makes more financial sense to replace the panels, especially in business applications where a steady supply is essential.

So how long do solar panels last? The useful lifespan of solar panels lasts anywhere between 25-30 years. That’s enough time for the panels to pay you back for the cost of initial installation in the form of free energy from the sun. It is also enough time for the panels to generate enough clean energy that offsets the energy required to produce them in the first place. Therefore, enough time to make solar panels an economically and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil-based energy sources. 

As with any other technology, the better you buy, the better your experience with the product. Established manufacturers of solar panels have worked out ways to minimize degradation, utilizing the best manufacturing, installation, and maintenance practices. If you’re on the lookout for a reliable partner that can fulfill your solar power needs, Sterling and Wilson Solar is the right partner for you. It is one of the leading solar EPC and O&M solutions providers in the world with a presence across 25 countries and a portfolio of 252 solar power projects.

A List of the Manufacturing Plants Constructed by Shapoorji Pallonji Group

One of India’s oldest and most prestigious construction companies and now a global powerhouse delivering cutting-edge projects worldwide, the Shapoorji Pallonji Group has built a diverse range of civil as well as structural projects including iconic landmarks that serve millions globally. Among these projects, Shapoorji Pallonji Group has constructed and engineered many thoughtfully designed manufacturing plants for reputed companies and brand names. 

Here is a comprehensive list of the manufacturing plants constructed for reputed companies by the Shapoorji Pallonji Engineering and Construction (SP E&C):

1. Volkswagen Plant in Pune (2010)

This plant is the largest investment by a German company in the Indian market.

2. Tata Motors Facility in Pune (1965)

This impeccably engineered project is Tata Motors’ largest facility in India.

3. BMW Plant in Chennai (2008)

Shapoorji Pallonji E&C designed and built BMW’s first-ever plant in India.

4. SAIL Steel Plant in Rourkela (2015)

This is one of SAIL’s single largest material handling projects in India.

5. Amway Manufacturing Facility in Madurai (2015)

This is Amway’s first owned manufacturing facility in India.

6. Asian Paints Plant in Khandala (2014)

This reputed Indian company’s paint manufacturing plant is spread over 1M sq. m.

7. Berger Paints India Ltd in Hindupur (2014)

This manufacturing facility has an initial capacity of 80,000 tons over 23,200 sq. m.

8. Haier Industrial Park in Pune (2018)

This is an expansion of Haier's existing factory with a new manufacturing facility.

9. ITC Bhadrachalam Manufacturing Facility (2013)

Expansion of the paper manufacturing facility with a built-up area of 40,892 sq. m.  

10. Glass Bottle Manufacturing Facility in Aurangabad (2013)

Comprises production buildings, a batch house, raw material storage units, and a water treatment plant.

11. Ganesha Manufacturing Facility in Pune (2018)

Includes two new AIL & MPT production plants, ancillary structures, and roads.

12. Sterile Manufacturing Facility in Visakhapatnam (2014)

Pharmaceuticals manufacturing facility comprising terminal sterilization and aseptic sterilization.

13. Diesel Engine Manufacturing Facility in Aurangabad (2016)

Responsible for manufacturing and supplying the Perkins 4000 series engine range.

14. Flavours Manufacturing Facility in Maharashtra (2019)

This facility includes a production building, warehouse, pump houses, UG tanks, and more.

15. Textile Manufacturing Facilities in Karnataka (2018)

This is a textile spinning unit with an installed capacity of 2,00,000.

4 Reasons to Buy or Invest in Property on the Dwarka Expressway

Connecting New Delhi which is the capital city of India to Gurugam which is another finance and technology hub, the Dwarka Expressway is an important infrastructural landmark. This means that the projects surrounding this major eight-lane expressway are all valuable real estate opportunities.

That being said, the following are the main reasons why investors or homebuyers should consider looking into properties on the Dwarka Expressway. 

1. A major connector to New Delhi

Also known as the Northern Peripheral Road, this under-construction expressway is already a major connector of Gurugram to other important areas. It is 27.6 km long and has eight lanes connecting to locations like Dwarka in New Delhi, Palam Vihar, Kherki Daula, and further extends alongside the NH-48A.

2. Access to important facilities and infrastructure

The Dwarka Expressway further connects to other parts of the city and country with close proximity to transport facilities like Delhi Metro, Indira Gandhi International Airports, and nearby railway stations. Residents in this area can also enjoy easy access to hospitals and schools along with proper public utility services such as water supply, power lines, and sewage lines. Commercial spaces also have a lot of scope in this millennial city including malls and multiplexes as well as office spaces.

3. An emerging hub with attractive rates

Since the construction of this stretch is still under way, there is still plenty of room to grow while real estate prices currently sit at comfortable rates. This area has a lot of potential for further development which many it an ideal location for long-term investments. Buyers and investors can expect a value for money with the possibility of the value increasing significantly a few years down the line. 

4. Cutting-edge real estate options

Most importantly, home buyers and investors also have a wide range of high-quality, cutting-edge properties to choose from. There are properties from reputable builders such as Shapoorji Pallonji’s Joyville Gurugram and multiple projects by Raheja Developers, TATA Housing, DLF, Indiabulls, and Supertech, among others. This area also has a number of affordable projects under PMAY and HUDA’s residential property in Gurugram.