Solar Energy for Home Electricity, not enough?

With prices going up even for electricity, I thought why not have my dad order a solar power system for home. I did not have knowledge of how it works and what. Only had guess that it should be enough for home use, and once charged it would last for 3-5 days, and since sun will keep up daily, it will keep getting charged and stay fully charged, and when it’s winter or rains and sun hides, still it would be good enough to get through till next day or so, else will use regular power as a backup. I assumed it may cost around Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 300,000 and for long-term investment it seemed like good cost since my guess was unlimited electricity and had read somewhere that system comes with warranty of 25 years. That would make it worth.

I am sure many often looks around for it and thinks it would be easy as buying solar cooker, can put on terrace and will be charged up. Well, I looked around and gathered all information just to find out that -

A. It’s costly.
B. It will not be enough for even a small town home.

Now let me explain you why. When generally speaking that I wanted to use electricity produced by solar energy for my home, you would also think that Everything that uses electricity, will be using Solar power electricity. I want everything in my house run on solar power in simple words. You will need Solar Grid-Tie, Solar Panels, Inverter and Battery/charger.

I will put all in basic simple way without depth in word so you can get the basic idea of what is for what. Solar Panels are what absorbs Sun heat, and inverter is what transforms solar energy in to electricity and transfers it to battery (one like cars have) or charger. And other basic accessories like controller etc is there to add in to cost, along with cost of installation.

Solar Panels are important factor. Average 1 Square Foot of Solar Panel produces 10.6 Watts. Average cost for 1 Square Foot Solar Panel is around Rs. 4,500 plus. You can lit a light of a room for that much. So, for basic appliances like TV, Computer, Fridge etc, it will need much more. So, for that you will have to sacrifice half of your terrace, will need large solar grid-tie, and 60-70 panels (if your terrace is big enough!). Than cost of Installation which is not so cheap either. Your home will need to be in area where sun comes directly on solar panel, and of course if you are in crowded area, make sure neighbor’s kids doesn’t jump on solar panels for sun bathing, so somewhat safety issue. Now, these many solar panels, will it still be enough? how long will charging last? Well, it will last almost a day in general thinking. It has to be charged constantly. As I said, it will produce 10.6 Watts in 1 square foot panel, you can see your electricity bill and compare how many watts your house uses in a month, and do all math. You will know average how many panels you will need.

Roof Covered with Solar Panels, Still require Back up Electricity

So, cost for whole home system will run around Rs. 12,000,00 plus including all accessories and Installation. Please note that prices I am writing are what I gathered from information I found, and may be more or less depending on company that’s selling. But this is what’s average cost is around. Now, spending this amount, you still probably will need to be dependent on regular electricity as solar power may still not be enough!

Now, I understand that why companies who sell Solar Cooker, Solar Heater – just this kind of small appliances, doesn’t really offer total 100% solar system for city house. Because its just too costly, It will take years for this investment to break in even! Idea of Solar Energy is to cut down on Bill of regular electricity, by using this small solar powered appliances. Solar energy is good for home which are in small villages or outside area where government doesn’t offer electricity and where they just need it to light a few bulbs. It would be worth for that. But for powering up everything in home, it doesn’t seem worth in my view.

You all compare your bills, and http://www.selco-india.com is one of the company that I found offers solar system in India. You can get more information and response in details about setting up from them.

Note: Cost for Solar System has been dropped by at least 20% since the Article was published.