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2. Best Solar Panel in the Indian Context
Solar power plays a dominant role in the world-wide effort to reduce greenhouse gases; it is
considered a clean energy and an efficient source of electricity. Yet several obstacles have been
undermining the expansion of this sector and many of its actors are looking for new approaches that
would make solar power more practical and commercially attractive. Given the advantages of the
different types of Solar panels (land, roof and aqua) and the diversity of India, there is a case to be
made for each of these technologies depending upon the type and geographical location of the user.
1. Metropolitan Cities:
Large metropolitan cities have a paucity of space and are typically dotted with tall skyscrapers. In such
cases (Mumbai being a prime example), land mounted panels are almost never used. Roof tops panels
on buildings are the only viable option at this point. Floating Panels, although a relatively new
technology, could be a superior alternative. Water and Power utilities in such cities often have suitable
water sources such as storage reservoirs for drinking water, irrigation water and open channel
aqueducts where floating solar panels could be installed. The government of Singapore has installed
100kWp Floating PV system on the Tenghe Resovoir. Tata Power has partnered with Australian
Company Sunengy to build the first Solar Floating Plant in Maharashtra, India using Liquid Solar Array
(LSA). Initial results by Tata Power indicate that the high levels of haze in the country have greatly
reduced the efficiency of LSA. Until the time, floating panels are a economically and technically
effective alternative, roof top panels will work best in the Indian Metros.
2. Rural India and Small and Large factories:
In this case, ground mounted Solar Panels may be considered a viable option if there is ample space
available or if the land is arid or uncultivable. Ground panels can be mounted a few feet above the
ground allowing farmers to grow specific plants under them. This may help in maximising the use of
the land. Given the high dependency of Indian Agriculture on rain (as opposed to irrigation), farmers
can use their solar plants as insurance against failed rains. Another option is that ground mounted
solar panels be installed atop canals that run along Indian farms. This has been done successfully in
Gujarat and has the benefits of floating panels (reduces evaporation and saves land).
3. Comparison between different Solar Panels
Ground Mounted Roof Mounted Floating Panels
Cost Ground-mounted panels Rooftop-mounted panels With the increasing cost of land
often cost more than roof are more common, and and diminishing availability,
mounted systems because they’re usually easier and floating panels are an
they require additional faster to install. The only alternative especially in areas
materials, time, and labour. thing that might increase where real estate is expensive.
Solar installers generally those costs significantly is They minimize the use of steel,
use a cement foundation or the condition and type of a major cost in the production
reinforced pole structure to roof. Rooftop-mounted of land based panels. Secondly,
ensure the panels are panels require a steady, the cooling effect of water
propped up off the ground, well-maintained roof that is increases the efficiency and
tilted at the proper angle, expected to last at least 20 reliability over land based
and then wired to the years and has a load systems.
home/factory. All of which bearing capacity. In addition, floating panels
ends up being a slightly Uninstalling and reinstalling reduce water evaporation (good
more involved — and solar panels is complicated, for drought prone areas),
expensive — process. time-consuming, and eliminate organic and algae
expensive, so replacing the growth keeping the water fresh
roof before installing panels and of high quality.
will increase overall costs. However, this being a relatively
new technology, it is still fairly
expensive
Space If you have a large space, With rooftop-mounted They are the most efficient use
then one can install a much panels, you’re much more of space. In areas where land is
bigger ground-mounted limited in the size of a expensive, floating panels are
system than you could with system that can be an excellent option.. It is not
a rooftop-mounted system, installed. However, it is a however, a solution for the rural
giving you the opportunity much better use of population or the poor.
to generate more energy otherwise unusable space.
and greater savings.
However, a large ground-
mounted system will
consume more land.
Ground Mounted Roof Mounted Floating Panels
Aesthetics These sit between a few These are generally less This is a low profile system that
(for homes) inches and several feet noticeable. If the front of minimizes visual impact on the
above the ground, the home faces south, the surrounding environment.
depending on the location panels will be very visible. If
and mounting system. the home faces north, on
These are not aesthetically the other hand, the solar
pleasing and may diminish panels can be hidden by
property values of homes. placing them on the
backside of your roof.
Positioning Solar panels should face Rooftop-mounted solar These panels are placed on
south or west, with panels are restricted by water on stability devices,
southwest or southeast multiple variables, including however more than the
alignments as possible the type of roof, angle, and positioning, it is the haze in the
alternatives. With a ground- direction. A slate roof with air that renders this technology
mounted system, you can a steep pitch isn’t ideal for less effective (as seen in the
make sure your panels are rooftop solar, for example, case of the Tata Power
oriented in the right while asphalt roofs with a Installation in Mumbai)
direction and at the right gentle slope are ideal.
angle without any potential Obstructions such as
shade to generate chimneys, skylights, trees,
maximum energy. It’s also a or buildings can also cast
lot easier to install a sun- shadows on rooftop panels,
tracking system on a reducing overall
ground-mounted array, production.
which can lead to higher
efficiencies.
Cleaning and While solar panels don’t Not as easy to clean/repair. Not as easy to clean/repair
Maintenance require much maintenance,
ground mounted are easier
to clean
4. Case Study of Cost Savings by using Solar Energy
As a case study, I have chosen Tata Motor’s plant in Pune. The facility in Maharashtra is spread over 800 acres
of land and the way it is built, it has several large building blocks with unutilized rooftops. This provides an
excellent opportunity for the company to install rooftop solar power plants on its building blocks.
The company consumed 3,94,518 MgW of power in the FY2015 according to its management. Given that the
total power cost for the year was Rs 395 crores, the implied rate of power for the entire company was Rs 9.99
per unit.
CASE STUDY: TATA MOTORS
The Tata Group, a 100 billion group, is one of the leading industrial houses in India. It has a stated policy of
conservation of energy and utilizing clean and alternate sources of energy. Tata Motors is one of the flagship
companies of the Tata Group. It is a USD 42billion organization and a global automobile manufacturer with a
portfolio that covers a wide range of cars, sports vehicles buses, trucks and defence vehicles.
Pictures of some of their car/brands
Tata Motors has manufacturing facilities in several Indian states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand
and Karnataka. Across its various facilities, it produces around 400,000 vehicles annually. Its annual power
and fuel cost is approximately Rs 400crores in a year. Given that its net profit has also hovered around
Rs400crores since FY2013 (not including the unusual net loss in FY2015 on account of the purchase of Jaguar),
a meaningful reduction in power cost can have a significant impact on the profitability of the company. This is
will also have a huge impact on the environment.
TATA MOTORS
In Rs Cr. 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
NET REVENUE 44502.74 38176.15 38121.14 46853.92 54880.64 45167.77
NET PROFIT 234.23 -4738.95 334.52 301.81 1242.23 1811.82
POWER & FUEL COST 402.36 395.88 392.09 484.66 550.89 471.28
Source: Annual
Report
TATA MOTORS 2016
2015
(a) Total Units (MgWh) of power consumed 3,94,518
(b) Total Power and Fuel expense (Rs Crores) 395
(c) Effective Rate of Power consumed (Rs/unit) (a/b) 9.99
CASE STUDY FOR PUNE PLANT
(d) Total Units (MgWh) of power consumed 59,177.70
(e) Per unit cost of power in Pune 10.00
(f) Total Power and Fuel expense in Pune Plant (Rs Crores) 59.18
SOLAR ENERGY IS USED IN PUNE PLANT
Cost of Solar Power (Rs/unit)
7.49
New Power and Fuel expense in Pune Plant (Rs Crores) 44.33
Savings in Pune alone (Rs crores) 14.85
Assumption:
Cost of Solar Power per unit (industry surces) 7.5
% of power and fuel cost accounted by Pune Plant 15%
If we conservatively assuming that the Pune Plant accounts for only 15% of the entire company’s power cost,
then by going solar in Pune, Tata Motors can reduce its overall power cost by 4% in a year. This translates into
a saving of Rs 15crores, which flows directly into its bottom-line.
A switch to Solar energy does not only have an enormous positive impact on our environment, but it can also
lead to significant financial savings for companies. Should government’s give corporate fiscal incentives to
switch to greener energy sources, the case for setting up Solar Plants will become that much more compelling
for corporates.
TATA MOTORS 2016
2015
Total Units (MgWh) of power consumed 3,94,518
Total Fuel Cost (Rs Crores) 395
Effective Rate of Power consumed (Rs/unit) 9.99
Cost of Solar Power (Rs/unit) 5
Maharashtra
Assuming that the Pune Plant consumes 15% total of
power
Power Consumed by Pune Plant
59177.7
Per unit cost of power in Pune 12.00
Total Cost of power in Pune Plant (Rs Crores) 71.01
Cost of Solar Power (Rs/unit) 5
Total power cost in Pune using Solar (rs Crores) 29.59
Savings in Pune (Rs Crores) 41.42
Savings as a % of total Cost 10%
Saving in CO2 emissions (tonnes) 5,846
Total Trees saved by going Solar in Pune
2,92,297
Assumptions.
1. Cost of Solar Power per unit is Rs 5
2. Current cost of power per unit in the Tata Motor’s Pune Plant is Rs 12
3. Savings in Carbon dioxide emission per KwH of power is 98.7 tonnes
4. Trees saved per kg of CO2 emitted is 20