Amid an unprecedented expansion in the renewable energy sector, a number of businesses and individuals are shifting to solar power systems. Solar energy has also received a solid push from various governments.
Between 2014 and 2021, India’s solar energy capacity increased 15-fold. By 2022, the government aims to increase the solar capacity of 37 GW, installed in 2020, to 270 GW, reported The Hindu.Commercial and industrial buildings that source grid electricity at higher rates from power utilities are now weighing renewable energy options to offset the cost. However, a common dilemma is whether to connect to an off-grid or on-grid solar power system. Before making the choice, here’s a look at the difference between the two systems
On-grid systems
On-grid system is the one in which solar power system is connected to the utility’s power grid. The excess power generated is sent to the utility grid and the consumer gets compensated for it. Similarly, when the system underproduces power, the consumer can draw electricity from the grid and pay for the units used.
Being tied to a grid is beneficial as the consumer does not need to buy an expensive battery backup to store excess energy. This makes on-grid systems more popular in residential spaces.
Businesses also use the system to meet their daily requirement and earn income from the excess power generated. However, being connected to the grid means the consumer may have to face power outages. A consumer can use net metering for on-grid systems.
According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the government targets to install 100 GW grid-connected solar power system by 2022. To achieve the target, the Centre has launched schemes and undertaken several policy measures to encourage use of solar power systems such as Solar Park Scheme, VGF Schemes and Grid-Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme.
As a result, the cumulative capacity of grid-connected solar power projects has increased from 932 MW in 2011-12 to 6762.87 MW in 2015-16 and 28180.68 MW in 2018-19.
Why one should choose on-grid systems?
Off-grid systems
Being off-grid means the system works independently and the consumer is not connected to any utility’s power system. This system uses batteries to store generated solar power.
Although off-grid systems are self-sustaining, they involve higher expenses as the consumer has to buy a battery pack, solar panels, grid box, inverter, charge controller, mounting structure and balance of systems. The panels generate and store power during the day and use it at night.
The system is …….