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Selecting the Right Solar EPC Company

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Solar Energy has been the ‘talk of the town’ in recent years. Recently it has gained huge attention from various organizations & individuals across the country. If you are lately thinking to buy one, then you might want to know more about- ‘what EPC is’ and ‘how to select the solar according to my need.’ 

EPC: Engineering, Procurement and Civil Construction.

EPC companies are those who provide a one-stop solution for all solar needs. In simple terms, you don’t have to run around and go to multiple vendors to assemble numerous components of a solar plant. 

Getting your work done from EPC companies is of great importance. This is crucial when it is a large-scale project. Now that you know what EPC is, let’s understand what these companies do. To list down, here are some activities they do in broader terms.

Engineering – This activity involves- running the workability test and doing site evaluation. Furthermore, it also involves technology selection and outlining the site feasibility for interconnections.

Procurement – This activity involves- obtaining required resources for the project like- clearance and commissioning, equipment, etc. In addition, it also looks after the installation under a specified time frame and budget given by the client.

Construction – This activity involves- supervision & monitoring services, preparing plans related to the installation of a solar power plant, construction support, and project planning & operations management. Further, it also includes the preparation of a detailed proposal with an action plan and estimate.

These three essential components of EPC ensures the feasibility & lifespan of the project.

Below stated are the guidelines that will help you select the right Solar EPC company:

It is recommended to get a run through to check the quality standards of the products offered. It is essential to ensure whether the installer offers warranties and guarantees.

1. A good solar EPC company should have sound knowledge about the equipment and the components that they are offering. In addition to this, they should have an in-depth understanding of the technical details of the products, utility setup, and engineering from the project team & management team. Have a thorough discussion about the maintenance policy post-installation

2. An EPC should be well recognized one and should get all the paperwork done for you. They should be capable enough to get a licence granted by the government for you (as a client). At the same time, you should check the flexibility and credibility of the solar EPC by its experience of working under different conditions – geographic, terrains and timeframes. 

3. An EPC company can be judged based on- the number of projects executed successfully, the number of years they have served in the industry, their relations with vendors, and the best clients they have worked with, in the recent past.

4. As it is equally important, make sure that the installer is fully aware of the statutory requirements and the state’s solar policy requirements.

5. It is essential to be 100% sure about the EPC provider you choose; as installing a solar panel system is a huge and one-time investment. The lifespan of a good solar system is approximately 25 years. Therefore, ask for the company’s portfolio and a list of recent projects. You can also ask them for 2-3 references for you to contact.

Related Read: 9 Things to Consider Before Installing Solar Panels

Conclusion:

To sum it up, it is advisable to select an experienced and reputable solar pv installer. This way, you can ensure that you receive- a high quality, well-performing solar system with best after service for maintenance throughout the lifetime of the system.

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9 Things to Consider Before Installing Solar Panels

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Have you lately thought of installing a solar panel? Be it for saving money on your electricity consumption or upgrading your place’s value or reducing the carbon footprint- going solar is the need of the hour. And we appreciate this thoughtful decision of yours!

While installing solar panels is a lucrative option, there are some factors to be considered before installing the solar panel at your home or workplace!

As you research for the best solar panel companies in your region, review these factors first, to estimate your energy generation and potential for saving.

1. Whether your roof is suitable and ready for the installation:

One of the best things about solar panels is its durability. Most panels come with a warranty of 20-25 years! It means that if your roof is not in good condition or needs to be revamped, then get that done before installing solar panels. It can be very challenging and costly to remove and reinstall panels to make way for roof work to get done.

2. The duration for which you plan to stay in that particular residence:

Solar is a long term investment that also has long term benefits. So, if you’re planning to shift from your current residence or workplace sooner in the future, then consider installing the panels in your new home or workplace.

Related Read: Is it Worth Installing Solar Panels?

3. Suitability of your house for the installation:

So, how to know whether your home is well-suitable for solar? Here are two key indicators to look for:

  1. Less number of huge trees surrounding the house: More number of trees around the house means more shade, which can cause hindrance for the panels to harness the solar energy. If your home is next to a skyscraper or a dense forest, you might need to consider the option of shifting to a new house before going solar!
  2. Roof direction:  
  • If you live in the northern hemisphere, the sun is in the south of the sky. Therefore, to fetch the maximum exposure of the sun, the solar panels are suggested to be placed on a south-facing roof.
  • Likewise, in the southern hemisphere, solar panels are best placed on a north-facing roof.
  • However, if you don’t use much energy in the middle of the day- as with most homes, and need it the evening, then a west-facing solar array might be more useful.
  • If you prefer more solar electricity generation in the mornings, an east-facing direction would be preferable.
  • You might be surprised to know that- east and west-facing solar panels generate less energy throughout the entire day than those facing towards north and south.

4. Which kind of solar makes should you buy?

The two dominant solar technologies to pick from are:

  • Photovoltaic: This technology uses arrays of cells to turn sunlight into electricity, and
  • Thermal: This technology uses sunlight to heat water or air for domestic purposes.

If your home uses a lot of energy for heating, or you live somewhere where heating fuel is expensive relative to electricity, a solar thermal investment could be a suitable and viable option.

5. Lease or buy?

Every household will need to run its cost-benefit analysis before deciding whether to buy or lease the solar panels. Buying your own system might cost more upfront, but it does reap benefits in the future. When you own the system, it can keep working for you long after it pays off the cost of the purchase.

On the other hand, leasing lets you access cheaper electricity with little or no money down, but the benefits are limited. If you lease, the company you contract with owns the system, and you pay them a certain rate for the electricity; when the lease is up, they might take the system away.

Make sure you compare the total lifecycle cost of the lease and weigh the savings against the benefits you would get from ownership.

6. How to fight with nature’s sudden surprises?

No one can foresee natural disasters like- lightning storms, hurricanes, hail, etc. In such situations, there is a potential risk for some solar power equipment to get damaged during these events. Although some insurance will cover these types of events, it is important to consider this factor, especially if you live in an area where such type of weather is a common phenomenon.

7. Choosing the right contractor:

A solar power system is both home improvement and an electrical project. This is why when you start your search for the right contractor, you need to validate that they have a good reputation in the market and are reliable and flexible to work with.

Look for a contractor that can be around for help in the long term. While there is minimum maintenance required; if something goes wrong, you would want your contractor to be easily available to get it fixed under warranty.

Related Read: 7 Reasons Why Solar Panel is Good for Your Home

8. Warranties do matter:

Warranties are an important aspect to consider; as it helps to protect your solar panels and other related equipment. If anything happens to your solar panels, having a warranty helps you to keep the manufacturer accountable — without any additional cost to you. There are also some incentive programs (available in different states) that require you to have a warranty for your solar equipment.

If you don’t have a warranty, fixing minor faults will be a pain for sure!

9. Maintenance is a priority:

Keeping your solar panels working and your roof in good condition is imperative. It’s a good idea to ask your contractor about the maintenance procedures before the installation begins. If you are unable to meet those solar system maintenance requirements, there is a good chance your equipment will not last as long as you want it to.

Bottom Line:

Choose the solar panel that is best suited for your home instead of opting for the popular ones! Look for various options and follow the above-given suggestions before finalizing your choice.

Contact us today to get a free solar panel installation quote or call us at +91 772-199-4477.

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Is it Worth Installing Solar Panels?

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We all get a sense of fright while scanning through the electricity bill. In fact, at back-of-the-mind, we all hope the digits to be magically lesser in numbers than the previous ones. But that never happens, and our hopes only go the despair!

Well, everyone wants to reduce down the money they spent on electricity. However, only a few get into action and opt for alternative solutions. And those who are using the alternative solutions are definitely the ones who are harnessing the power of solar energy, to its fullest.

‘Is it worth installing a solar panel?’ might cross your mind, and can perhaps leave you bewildered. Here we are- to help you sort out with your queries and to help you understand the ‘power’ and ‘worth’ of solar energy.

Solar power can be harnessed and converted to usable energy using photovoltaic or solar thermal collectors. Although solar energy only accounts for a small amount of overall global energy use, the cost of installing solar panels is so affordable which means that more and more people from different regions can take advantage of solar energy.

The main benefit of solar energy is that it does not produce any pollutants and is one of the cleanest sources of energy. It is a renewable source of energy, requires low maintenance and is easy to install.

Related Read: 5 Benefits of Solar Energy to the Environment

Is it worth installing a solar system compared to electricity?

Hydroelectric and thermal power plants are the main source of electricity in India. Perhaps, the production comes at the cost of consuming a lot of non-renewable energy like- coal, gas, oil, etc. If solar panels are compared to the conventional way of producing electricity, they have a great advantage over the former. They can give a long time energy solution for many of our daily requirements. Research says that a rooftop solar panel reduces greenhouse gas emissions and lowers electricity costs. And we couldn’t agree more!

Below listed are the features of having solar panels installed at home. The features- that will explain how installing solar panels can be light and easy in your pocket!

1. Drastic reduction in electricity bill

As the benefits of putting solar panels today will carry forward to the next 25 years, any solar investment in your home will immediately increase the valuation of your home. With IRR’s of 9% and above from smaller systems to 20% on bigger systems, the payback periods on your investments could be from 5 years to 9 years.

2. Guaranteed performance:

Solar panel manufacturers include 20-to-25 years warranty (also known as a performance guarantee) with their solar panels. The industry standard ensures 80% performance after 25 years.

The real lifespan of solar panels is much longer – your solar panels will likely generate a good amount of electricity 30-40 years down the line.

3. Reduce the heat trap to your home:

A study published in Solar Journal found out that the direct roof is 5 degrees Fahrenheit cooler under solar panels than under an open terrace.

How much does the solar panel system cost?

The cost of buying a solar panel depends on the company you choose to buy from. Moreover, installation cost varies from company to company.

While less-pricey solar panels might feel like the easiest way to save some cash, your total 20-year savings will often be higher if you invest in good-quality equipment. It’s worth taking some time to review all of your equipment options and find the right combination of price and quality for your home. Don’t forget to research the solar incentives and rebates available where you live; they can reduce your net cost by 50 % or even more. 

Bottom line:

Solar panels are one of the best return-on-investment one can choose to opt for. It is a well-thought-of plan to save your money, loads of money!

Contact us today to get a free solar panel installation quote or call us at +91 772-199-4477.