Also known as residential solar, the concept of solar power for bungalows has rapidly gained popularity in recent years thanks to the falling cost of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The installation consists of parts like panels, inverters, battery storage and a monitoring system - all of which now are available as a turnkey solution from several companies. The main advantage that homeowners get is saving up to half their electricity bill throughout the year, meaning that the solar system for bungalows pays for itself within a few years. Here are some key details on the components of such a system.
Solar Panels (PV modules)
These are the surface areas of dark blue photovoltaic cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. They are the core of the system and are the most expensive component too. Until the mid 2010s, PV modules were prohibitively expensive and inefficient, so most homeowners did not bother with solar at all! Now, thanks to mass production they are quite easily affordable. Their efficiency has increased from 15% to 22% thanks to rapid technological advances in materials and production techniques.
Mounting Structure
This is the underlying supporting structure for panels which holds them in place. It is designed to be sturdy and withstand high speed winds, rain and other weather conditions.
Inverters
These help to convert direct current (DC) from the panels to alternating current (AC) which can be used in homes. The inverter is a mandatory part of the solar system for bungalow owners (unlike batteries and grid connectors, which are optional).
Battery Storage
This is an optional component that most customers nowadays buy. It helps to store excess energy produced during the day for use at night. Homeowners also get the flexibility of using battery power on rainy or cloudy days.
Grid Connection
Although this is optional, some homeowners are lucky enough to live in states where the government will “buy” electricity from them (in the form of a discount on their bill). The excess solar power for bungalows is sent into the city’s power grid, and the quantity is adjusted against what the customer drew from the grid - this drastically reduces the power bill they have to pay.
Monitoring System
This is a set of sensors connected to a monitor or a mobile app, which tracks the performance of your solar system in real time and helps optimize energy production. It also detects any issues and informs the owner in order to get them fixed before they become serious. Most modern solar installers will provide you with a mobile app that shows you all your parameters in real time like production, usage, battery level, amount of power sent to the grid, etc.
Benefits of installing solar power for bungalows
There are two big benefits for bungalow owners who invest in solar.
First, they save around half their electric bill each month. A typical bungalow with 6 residents can easily spend Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 a month on electricity. So, installing solar would help the family save Rs 7,500 to Rs 10,000. This happens in two ways - one, the electricity directly consumed from the installation, and two, the discount on their electric bill from the power sent back to the grid.
The next benefit of course is environmental. More solar in a region means less coal needs to be burned. The air gets cleaner, and people can breathe easily.
To help with the environment the government is subsidizing solar installations. In rural areas, they are subsidizing solar water pumps, which work similarly. They help farmers draw water for irrigation for 2-3 hours a day, and spend another 8 hours sending power to the grid.
There is no doubt that residential solar is beneficial for both the homeowner as well as the environment. Saving money, reducing CO2 levels and easing the load on the local grid, it’s an absolute no-brainer for any bungalow owner. If you have your own home with a large roof (or large ground area), do get in touch with any reputed brand in your region who will install solar for you.