The benefits of adopting solar energy by homeowners are well documented. From saving up to 80% on monthly electricity bills to promoting a sustainable society, going solar has proven to be a wonderful investment for homeowners across the country. Mr Sushil Sharma, a homeowner who decided to go solar with MYSUN in Greater Noida, shared his experience in a video here:

It is for the wide availability of solar energy that the installation of PV rooftop solar systems has grown at an impressive rate in the country, increasing from a capacity of 5 MW in 2010~11, to over 5000 MW in 2019~20.

If you are a homeowner you must have already evaluated the benefits of going solar. Being an expensive purchase decision that you will have to live with for 25-years, it is prudent to do a thorough research before making a move. With this blog post, we will bring forth the answers to 11 crucial questions which you must know before installing solar panels on your residential property. We are sure these answers will make your solar journey easy.

1. Can you meet 100% of your residential power requirement with Solar Energy?

Yes, with a well-engineered solar system, you can generate enough electricity required to meet the complete power requirement of your house. However, there are certain factors that may influence your energy generation capacity otherwise. Factors such as your available shadow-free roof area, your sanctioned load, your power consumption, and the solar policy of your state. Here’s how:

-If the shadow-free area available at your rooftop is less than the area required to install the number of panels needed to meet all your energy needs, then you might have to go for a low capacity solar system. In such a scenario, the electricity generated by your solar system might fall short of your total household requirement.

-Solar policies of most India states confine the installation of residential solar systems to be less than or equal to the sanctioned load, especially in the case of on-grid solar systems. In such a case, if your power requirement is more than your sanctioned load then again with the solar system you install, you might not be able to meet all your energy requirements. The good news is that you can apply for an increment of your sanctioned load with your DISCOM and thereafter install a system size as per your requirement.

-If your household energy consumption increases drastically after you have installed a solar system of a particular size, then again the energy generated by your solar system might fall short. In order to tackle this, you can later increase the size of your solar system keeping a note of your shadow-free roof area, your sanctioned load and your state’s solar policy.

2. How much can solar save you on your residential electricity bills?

For residential power consumers, the monthly savings from solar can be as high as 80% and in some cases even more. However, before you order your solar system you should try to determine your savings in absolute values by as much as possible. The reason being - the savings from solar is relative to the unique energy profile of your home. You can estimate your savings my running the MYSUN Solar calculator and taking a site survey from MYSUN Solar Engineers.

3. Is your house eligible for availing net-metering? If yes, when should you apply for it?

Net-metering is a crucial functionality that increases savings from solar if you go solar with an on-grid or hybrid solar system. It helps you export the surplus electricity generated by your solar system to the grid in exchange for compensation.

Currently, the facility is available for homeowners across all states in India. However, the benefits from it may differ depending on the tariffs laid down by the respective states.

You can apply for net metering both before and after your solar PV system installation. However, for convenience, we suggest you apply for net-metering before the system installation.

4. How much will it cost to install your residential rooftop solar system?

The cost of solar systems has fallen dramatically over the past 10 years. To put it in perspective, a typical 1 KW Solar system which was available for approximately INR 145/Wp in the year 2000 is today available for approximately INR 35/Wp. The final cost however varies depending on the quality of components, the expertise of the solar installer and the scale of the project. Since residential solar systems are smaller in size, the per KW cost tends to be higher compared to commercial/industrial solar systems, given the lower scale of operations. The key here is to not compromise on the quality of the components and the expertise of your installer. Benefits from solar are reaped in 25 years, and you don’t want to have any unpleasant experience for a short term gain. To know the estimated cost of your optimum residential solar system, you can run the MYSUN Solar Calculator here.

5. Is there a way to make the cost of your residential solar system more affordable?

Yes, you have the option to make this cost of solar systems more affordable with the MYSUN Residential Solar Financing Option - The MYSUN Flexi Pay. When you go solar with MYSUN, you can defer the cost of solar in easy monthly instalments. If you would like, you even get to choose a solar loan from numerous MYSUN partner banks at attractive interest rates.

6. How soon will your solar system break even?

With a well-configured residential solar system, you can expect your break-even period to be achieved within 3~4 years. The breakeven period is however dependent on the system size and the DISCOM tariff rate of your state. The point to note here is that since the returns from solar are in the form of savings, the returns are assured. To know your estimated return on investment and payback period you can run the MYSUN Solar Calculator.

7. Is your home rooftop a good candidate for installing solar panels?

Checking the durability of your rooftop is extremely important. Your rooftop should be equipped to withstand the weight of the panels and the mounting structures. If your rooftop is not firm, don’t consider going solar until you have repaired it well. Also, since most houses in India are built too close to each other, it is imperative to check that your rooftop is free from any shadows being cast by nearby buildings/objects.

8. Will you be eligible to claim tax benefits on your residential solar investment?

Currently, there are no tax benefits available for residential power consumers. However, the savings on electricity bills themselves are so significant that the investment is worth going for.

9. Can you shift your residential solar system to a different location?

Yes, you can always uninstall and reinstall your solar system in a new location. However, the attempt made should be a careful one so that no damages are caused. Do check the way to go ahead in detail with your solar installer.

10. Who should you choose to buy your residential solar system from?

Your solar installer will be your partner in crime throughout the 25 years of your solar journey. It is therefore extremely important to choose the right solar installer in whom you can have faith in times of need. The best way to start is by identifying their local and national presence, followed by the expertise of their team, the projects they have commissioned and the reputation they enjoy among their stakeholders. Talk to other homeowners who have gone solar with them. At MYSUN, our team has helped numerous homeowners realize their true potential of solar. And it is this invaluable effort from our team which has garnered great reviews from our customer on platforms like Google and Facebook.

11. How can you ensure the good health of your residential solar system for 25 years?

Ensuring regular service and maintenance is the key. Residential solar systems are considerably smaller in size and can therefore be maintenance by oneself. However, it is suggested to opt for a service and maintenance package as it eliminates the risk involved in the job and ensures timely action. Some other ways to ensure the good health of your solar system is to go for premium quality modules as they are more durable than the regular ones and to opt for solar insurance as it safeguards your system against events like fire, theft and burglary. With MYSUN’s exhaustive operations and maintenance package - the MYSUN Care, homeowners get an option to avail 25-year assured service solution at a minimum payable amount. You can opt for it and lead a worry-free solar journey by leaving the maintenance of your solar system at the hands of our operations and maintenance team.

These 11 questions will help you make an informed choice when going solar. Knowing the answers to these will help you in making the most from your residential solar investment. If you have more queries related to solar, comment your question in the comment box below or write to MYSUN Solar Advisors at info@itsmysun.com.

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