Sun Day, 2021 was observed by Institution of Public Health Engineers, India on the3rd May, 2021. A virtual group discussion through Google meet was arranged by the Institution on the basic theme of the Day, ‘Promotion of Solar power and to sustain life on Earth’.
The event was held for about an hour from 6.30 pm onwards on the day.The programmestarted with self- introduction of the participants followed by a presentation made by ShriBarun Kumar Basak, Council member, IPHE about the 5 kWh capacity solar power plantinstalled and commissioned in IPHE building roof top since December, 2020 with technical and financial support of the West Bengal State Pollution Control Board. The presentation was followed by lively discussions by the participants, who also shared thoughts and experiences based on the basic theme of the Day. Among the participants, Prof. K. J. Nath, President, IPHE, Dr. N. B. Basu, Vice-President, IPHE,ShriBhaskarGhosh, Council Member,and Fellow members ShriBipin Pandaand Shri H. R. Gaidhani took active part in the lively discussions and shared their experiences on solar power. The event was coordinated by Shri K. A. Roy, Council Member, IPHE, India.
The salient features of the projectalong with the technical details of the 5 kWh capacity solar power plant,presented by ShriBasakare placed below for general understanding about the project.
CHRONOLOGY of INSTALLATION:
26 JUN 2019 : INITIATIVE FIRST STEP
22 OCT 2019 : APPLICATION TO WBPCB
06 NOV 2019 : WORK ORDER BY WBPCB
01 DEC 2019 : TECHNICAL HITCH CLEARED
17 FEB 2020 : SYSTEM CHARGED
23 MAR 2020 : COVID LOCKDOWN DISRUPTION
2021 : NET METERING COMMISSIONED
MAJOR COMPONENTS:
1. Solar Panels installed at roof top: to receive solar energy during day light and convert to DC electric power.
2. Inverter: to convert the generated DC power to AC power for connection with Grid
3. Earthing to ground: to protect the system through grounded pipe earthing
4. Export-Import Connection Meter (Bi-directional): to export generated power to grid and to receive the grid power for house load during all time day and night. 5. Net Metering: to calculate the net of energy bill from used power from grid and exported power to the grid at same tariff.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF
SOLAR PANELS
SIZE OF EACH PANEL : ABOUT 2M X 1M
WEIGHT OF EACH PANEL : ABOUT 25 KG
RATING OF EACH PANEL : ABOUT 320Wp
NO. OF PANELS FOR 5 KWp : 16 NOS
ARRAY OF PANELS : 2 ROWS X 8 NOS
PANELS COVERING ROOF AREA : ABOUT 600 SQR FT
GROSS AND NET-METERING CONCEPTS:
NET – METERING
RATES OF ENERGY FOR EXPORT (TO GRID) AND ALSO FOR IMPORT (CONSUMPTION) ARE CONSIDERED THE SAME
TILL RECENTLY 5 – 10 KWp RATING OF SOLAR PLANT IN COMMERCIAL CONNECTION WAS ONLY CONSIDERED FOR NET-METERING
LATER AMENDMENTS REPORTEDLY INCLUDE 1 – 6 KWp DOMESTIC CONNECTION ALSO FOR NET-METERING
GROSS - METERING
FOR OTHER PERMITTED ON-LINE GRID CONNECTIONS, THE TARIFF FOR EXPORT IS LESS COMPARED TO IMPORT (CONSUMPTION) TARIFF RATE
PROJECT ECONOMICS (AS PROPOSED IN 2019)
BASIS / ASSUMPTIONS
SOLAR INSOLENCE IN THIS PART OF INDIA : 4 KWH/DAY PER KWp, MINIMUM
OUR ASSUMPTION : 3.8 KWH/DAY PER KWp
ENERGY TARIFF FOR COMMERCIAL CONNECTION : ABOUT RS 10 PER KWH
PROJECT COST FOR A 5 KWpUNIT : RS. 3.50 LAKHS
WBREDA EMPANELLED AGENCIES : 3 OF THEM ALREADY QUOTED
CALCULATIONS PROJECT ECONOMICS
5 KWp SOLAR PLANT WILL GENERATE = 5 X 3.8 KWH = 19 KWH/DAY
MONTHLY GENERATION : 30 X 19 = 570 KWH; THAT IS RS. 5,700/- @10/-
ANNUAL ENERGY WORTH GENERATED = BILL SAVED = 12 X 5,700 = RS. 68,400/-
ANNUAL RETURN = (68,400 X 100) / 3,50,000 = 19.5% PAY-BACK : 5.1 YEARS :
RETURN IS 2.5 TIMES HIGHER THAN BANK RATE (2019)
