On-Grid Solar Power Plant Systems; Working and Benefits

With significant technological developments in the field of solar energy, an increasing number of individuals are opting to install solar power systems. The On-grid solar power system is the most popular of the several types of systems deployed across the world.

In an On-grid system the solar power generating system is connected with the state utility grid. Hence the name On-grid system.

The On-grid system considerably played a crucial role in popularizing the solar power plant installations domestically. Especially the rooftop solar plants that can be widely seen in our neighborhoods is the effect of On-grid solar plants.

The reduction in the electricity bill or sometimes even getting paid from the state electricity board has increased the likes of people towards On-grid system.

The less installation cost and maintenance cost of On-grid solar systems compared to the Off-grid solar systems make it more reliable.

There was time in India initially where the On-grid systems were not allowed and only Off-grid systems were installed. But due to technological advancement more stable and efficient equipment’s which don’t tamper with the utility grid has allowed the nation to think differently.

The changed policies of the Indian government and considering green energy as the potential future source, subsidies were given for On-grid solar plant installations which increased the affinity of people for implementing On-grid systems at their premises.

The preference of On-grid systems than Off-grid systems

It is the batteries that are the main difference between On-grid systems and Off-grid systems. For an Off-grid system to work it requires batteries. But an On-grid system doesn’t need one since it is connected directly to the utility grid.

The requirement of battery makes the Off-grid system more expensive and increases the maintenance cost. As the battery needs to be well maintained to increase its life. We should check the battery water level and should refill when required.

The life span of the battery is also not up to the level of other equipment used in a solar plant. So, the requirement of a battery actually increases the payback period to get profitable from the usage of solar energy.

The payback period of an On-grid system is between 3-8years. On average it is found to be 5years. As the capacity of the On-grid system increases the payback period decreases. For higher size power plants price per watt is lower than that of lower size power plants.

Working of On-grid Solar Power Systems

The solar panels arranged produces electricity by converting solar energy from the absorbed sunlight. The current generated will be DC, which is given to the Inverter that converts the DC to AC.

This AC is directly fed to a solar meter to get the solar readings, which are then connected to a Net meter. The net meter plays a major role in the On-grid system. The net meter on one side is connected by the supply from the utility grid and on the other side by the supply from the solar side.

Net meter thus records the export of electricity produced from solar to the utility grid and the import of the electrical energy from the grid to the user when solar energy cannot meet the energy requirement itself to the user. Thus, a net meter is a bi-directional meter that records both export and import.

At the end of the month, these export and import readings are differentially added and billed according to that. If import and export are similar then it will be a nil bill and the user gets paid by the state board for the extra energy they got at a fixed rate.

Benefits of On-Grid Systems

An On-grid system has lesser number of parts and the absence of a battery makes the maintenance of the system easier. The only thing u have to do is the cleaning of the panels once in a month or two.

If you plan the system according to your monthly electricity requirement, then you can have nil bills or zero electricity bills.

As the higher size solar plants are more cost-effective if you can install an On-grid plant that is more than that of your requirement it not only reduces the payback time but also acts as a passive income generator by the surplus electricity produced.

The Flaw

The major disadvantage of an On-grid solar system is its inability to provide electricity during a power outage. Whenever the utility grid fails to provide you power, even if it is the peak time of the day the solar system cannot provide electricity to you.

This is because of a safety precaution that is undertaken due to the connection with the utility grid. For the maintenance of the grid if a person switches off the grid and works on it the On-grid solar system should not feed power to the grid which risks his life. This is the reason why an On-grid system cannot provide electricity during a power outage.