What is the Balance of System (BoS) in Solar Plants?

In a photovoltaic system, solar panels are the most important part of the plant. However, solar energy needs to be effectively channelled with the help of other components. The components which allow the proper flow of energy from the solar panels to the grid are called the Balance of System (BoS).

What components make up the BoS?

BoS components include all the fittings and equipment apart from the photovoltaic panels. They usually make up about 10–50% of the total solar purchasing and installation cost and require high maintenance.

The following are some components included in the BoS:

• Specified cables and wires to allow proper current flow
• Sturdy mounting systems to hold the panels
• Solar inverters that invert DC to AC
• Battery banks to store and supply energy when required
• Battery chargers to send solar energy to devices or batteries
• Charge regulators to prevent high voltage
• Protection devices like fuses, earth leads, and switches

These are components that usually make up the BoS. Some additional equipment in the BoS based on the nature and requirement of the project could include:

• GPS solar trackers that keep the panels always in a position to receive maximum power from the sun
• Power management software to work on all the parts of the plant
• Wind speed sensors
• Circuit breakers to prevent electrical circuit damage
• Other task-specific accessories

Why is understanding the BoS important?

As mentioned, the BoS makes up for expenses as high as 50% of the total solar purchasing. Hence, a proper understanding of the components, the size of its requirements, and finding cost-effective ways to source these helps solar firms understand the best ways to spend to acquire the optimum BoS. Even though the price of solar panels and inverters has dropped considerably, the cost of BoS components remains steady. Customised planning ensures a cost-effective and energy-efficient BoS environment.

Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy provides top-quality BoS solutions that fit every scale of solar plants.

Originally published at http://realestateandepc.wordpress.com on February 9, 2023.

What Type of Approval is Required to Set up a Solar Power Plant in India?

 

India is a country blessed with enormous amounts of sunlight throughout the year. The increasing innovation in the solar industry and the hazardous effect of fossil fuels for power generation are encouraging more people to go solar. However, people need to follow certain rules laid out by the government to install a solar power plant.

You can choose either a rooftop solar power plant or a ground-mounted solar plant to generate sustainable electricity. Both these systems have different approval and permit requirements. Moreover, people need to deal with government agencies who guide them throughout the installation process.

Here are the major approvals and permits people need to install solar power plants. Approvals for Rooftop Solar Power Plants

The permits needed for installing rooftop solar plants vary with state laws, the capacity of the solar plant, and the building sector, such as industrial, commercial, or domestic. However, in most Indian states, people need peppermint in two folds. These include the following:

• Submitting the application form to DISCOM along with the application fee.
• After reviewing the application, the authorities decided to give approval for the applied capacity of the solar plant.
• In the next step, the rooftop owner registers for installing solar power plants with the required documents and makes the payment of registration charges. Here people also need to apply for the net metering facility for their solar plant.
• Following this, the customer signs the connection agreement with DISCOM for the initiation of the installation process.
• Once the installation of the solar plant completes, DISCOM officials evaluate the standard compliance and sanction the project.

Approvals for Ground-Mounted Solar Plant

The permission procedure for ground-mounted solar projects also depends on the state in which it is installed, similar to the solar power plants on rooftops. In addition, people need the following permissions for the ground-mounted solar power plants as a form of standard registration procedures:

• After the feasibility analysis of the site from the local substation to ensure the ability of the grid to handle the power level of the solar power plant, people need to get a permission letter for power evacuation from the DISCOM.
• Requirement of a land conversion certificate when using agricultural land. This certificate is necessary to prove that the land will no longer be used for agricultural purposes.
• License for contract work issued by the labour department.
• Approval for sewage treatment facilities.
• Permit of the environment clearance by the pollution control board.
• Fire department’s certificate of fire safety.
• Clearance permit from the forest department.
• Chief Electrical Inspector’s approval for project commissioning.
• MNRE approval for the solar power project’s tax exemptions.

Conclusion

SWRE is a leading solar EPC solution provider, which has succeeded in setting up large solar power plants throughout the globe. The company initially started as a combined effort of Shapoorji Mistry Sr. and Mehervan Daruvala. By 1920, Wilson Electric Works managed the electrical contracts at Shapoorji Pallonji Construction. Later in 1971 Wilson Electric Works got investments from Sterlings (Shapoorji Pallonji Group) and took up large projects in the Middle East, the Asian subcontinent, and several other countries.

Looking at the rising demand for solar energy, SWRE started its operations in this industry in 2017 and became the leading service provider at the global level. Through the years it has bagged multiple awards with the latest recognition from RenewX as Leading EPC in 2022.

Originally published at http://realestateandepc.wordpress.com on October 28, 2022.

Picking the best EPC Business Model for your Solar Plant

 

Solar energy is the most sustainable energy that is abundantly available on the planet and has the potential to match our daily needs. The Government of India is very supportive of Solar EPC companies, with the Ministry of Finance providing low-interest loans for private and public sectors.

So if you are thinking to start your own solar EPC company, here are the basics and two business models that are widely used in the industry to get you started.

What is an EPC company?

EPC stands for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction. As the name suggests, EPC companies combine the main three components of creating quality products and services. The major advantage here is that the company has full control over the production of everything.

EPC Business Models

EPC business models are a way to work with customers by offering them the equipment and services they require while outsourcing the high-value engineering and construction expertise. This makes for a great system, especially for solar businesses.

There are two common business models in India for EPC companies, namely the CAPEX model and the RESCO model.

In the CAPEX model, the buyer generally hires an EPC company as their prime contractor. Here, the company is in charge of management and procurement for its value chain. An excellent example of a leading solar company that uses this model is Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy Private Ltd. Having over 90 years of experience in the industry, they are known as the largest global EPC and MEP contractors.

In the RESCO model, the company provides you with renewable energy which you can pay for as you consume. The customer does not hold ownership of the Solar Power Plant but the seller and buyer share roles for handling all equipment and personnel for their project.

Make the choice based on the kind of equipment and services you are interested in providing. Here’s your green signal for a green business!

Originally published at http://realestateandepc.wordpress.com on June 7, 2022.

How can you earn money from Solar Panel Energy in India?

 

With the growing interest of the government and businesses in solar energy, India has become a hotbed for the solar panel energy market. This has also resulted in a growth in opportunities to earn money and generate employment.

But how exactly can you earn money from solar energy in India? In this article, we take a look at how!

Earning Money from Solar Panel Energy in India

To make the solar panel installation process easier on people, banks and the government both are providing loans and various schemes. It is important to note that you can only trade electricity from your home solar plant to up to 500KW. Below we understand how we can make money by generating and selling electricity through solar power. 

Obtain a license: To install a solar panel plant, you first need to get an approval license from the local electricity authority. After you sign the power purchase agreement with them, an investment of around 60k to 80k has to be made to set up the solar plant. State governments and banks also run special offers and schemes to enable the installment of solar plants, making it easier for you to make the investment.

There is some legal work required to get the permits required for your solar power plant, especially if it is a large scale power plant. Choose an eligible solar contractor, and they will help you with all the approvals

EXPLORE – STERLING & WILSON SOLAR

Solar panel installation on roofs: You do not need to have a separate space for the installation of solar panels. It is as simple as installing the solar plant on the roof of your house. Before you start selling electricity generated by these solar panels, all you need to do is tie up with the electricity company in your area. 

Availability of solar panels: At present, solar panels are available for sale in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Chhattisgarh. You can install a solar panel at your home and then sell the surplus power generated to the state government. In return, you get paid! In Uttar Pradesh, the government runs an incentive scheme on solar power. 

If you’re wondering where to buy solar panels, you can contact REDA or your state government's Renewable Energy Development Authority. Their offices are located all over the state. Apart from this, you can also purchase solar panels from private dealers. You can avail subsidies and loans for the same from banks or state governments.

About Sterling & Wilson Solar –

Sterling and Wilson Solar offers a complete range of Solar EPC solutions for utility-scale, solar rooftop, and floating solar power projects. SWSL solutions include design, engineering, procurement, construction and project management, and operations and maintenance.