Have you ever looked at your electricity bill, which seems to be increasing no matter what you do, and considered going on solar but didn’t know how to get started? Flow Pakistan gathered information from a few companies operating around Pakistan to resolve your questions about how much and what types of solar systems cost, what varieties exist, and how much you may estimate to save.
Types of solar systems
The first decision you must make is which type of solar system you want: on-grid (also known as grid-tie), off-grid, or hybrid.
On-Grid type of Solar Systems
An on-grid system is connected to your city’s power company and allows you to utilize both; the solar panels create electricity during the day, while the grid feeds it at night or when the panels have produced insufficient.
The technology allows you to sell any excess electricity you generate to the power company via a method known as net metering, which can result in significant savings on your bill. On the other hand, you will be fully reliant on the grid at night, and because you are connected to it, your solar system will shut down every time load-shedding or a power outage occurs.
A hybrid type of Solar Systems
While connected to the grid, a hybrid system includes batteries that store some of the extra electricity produced during the day. It acts as a buffer against load shedding and outages. However, the batteries are expensive, and the backup time is determined by the type and quality chosen.
Off-Grid type of Solar Systems
As the names suggest, an off-grid system is not connected to any power company and provides complete independence. It consists of enormous batteries and, at times, a generator. It is far more costly than the other two systems.
How much will it cost?
The capacity of your solar system should be determined by the amount of units consumed each month. A 3kW system is required if you use 300-350 units on average. A 5kW system is required if you employ 500-550 units. A 10kW system is required if your monthly electricity use is between 1,000 and 1,100 units.
Estimates based on pricing quotes from three companies show that 3kW, 5kW, and 10kW systems cost around Rs522,500, Rs737,500, and Rs1.37 million, respectively.
However, there is one caveat: these rates are for systems without batteries, which implies they are for an on-grid system.
However, if you want to have a hybrid system or go off-grid, you will require batteries, which will greatly raise the cost of your system.
The former is more expensive — a 4kW pylon tech lithium-ion battery, for example, costs Rs350,000 but lasts 10-12 years. A 4kW battery can power a few light lights, a fridge, and a TV for 7-8 hours. However, if you wish to run an air conditioner or a water pump, the battery will soon drain, he says.
A tubular battery with 210 amps, on the other hand, costs Rs50,000. Two of these tubular batteries would be required for a 3kW system, providing up to two hours of backup.
A tubular battery with 210 amps, on the other hand, costs Rs50,000. Khan stated that two of these tubular batteries would be required for a 3kW system, providing up to two hours of backup. It could power a few light bulbs, fans, and a one-tonne inverter air conditioner.
How much will you save from the Solar system?
Given the hefty financial cost, this is likely one of the most significant issues for individuals considering installing a solar system.
What causes this? The solution is net metering.
Assuming you don’t have batteries, you would utilize your own produced solar energy throughout the day and sell the excess to your power company. At night, though, you do not generate your own energy and instead rely on the power utility. On the whole, you may end up paying no electricity costs.
One Response