Manmade Technologies & Enterprises India

Solar Energy Solutions Business Report

Vikas Luthra tmanmade@gmail.com

Solar energy is the most readily available source of energy. It does not belong to anybody and is, therefore, free. It is also the most important of the non-conventional sources of energy because it is non-polluting and, therefore, helps in lessening the greenhouse effect. Solar energy has been used since prehistoric times, but in a most primitive manner. Before 1970, some research and development was carried out in a few countries to exploit solar energy more efficiently, but most of this work remained mainly academic. After the dramatic rise in oil prices in the 1970s, several countries began to formulate extensive research and development programs to exploit solar energy. When we hang out our clothes to dry in the sun, we use the energy of the sun. In the same way, solar panels absorb the energy of the sun to provide heat for cooking and for heating water. Such systems are available in the market and are being used in homes and factories. As drivers of the nations research and innovation initiatives, its natural that universities and schools are ahead of the curve in adoption of advanced renewable solar energy services. But at the same time, educational institutions face the same realities as every other public or private enterprise: renewable energy must deliver bottom-line results, and it must fit within limited capital budgets. With more than 550 solar facilities in operation today delivering more than 500 megawatts of solar energy capacity, Manmade Technologies has the right solar energy solution for educational facilities of all shapes and sizes, from a public or private school building to an entire university campus. We match this unsurpassed knowledge of solar photovoltaic solutions with our groundbreaking Power Purchase Agreement model, which allows institutions to take advantage of reliable and predictable solar energy without upfront costs. Manmade Technologies manages every element of solar installation and ongoing management, and educational institutions purchase the resulting power at rates that are often substantially lower than other power sources. Manmade Technologies solar energy services are highly reliable, consistently delivering more than 100 percent of the power predicted when a solution is designed. Were also accountable, providing customers with a Client Connect portal that enables direct review of solar service performance and energy delivered, so customers can confirm the solar benefits that are ultimately serving faculties and students. Solar energy is energy provided from the light and heat of the sun and has been harnessed by people since the dawn of time. Solar radiation accounts for the most available, renewable energy on earth, and is also one of the most affordable. Energy powered by the sun relies on heat engines and can provide you with numerous services, including heating, cooling, hot water, solar cooking, and many more.

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The most common way to harvest solar energy is through the use of solar panels. A solar panel is a packaged, interconnected collection of solar cells that can be used to generate and supply electricity in commercial and residential facilities. The panels use light energy from the sun to create electricity to power your home or business. Solar technologies can be separated into two categories; active solar and passive solar, depending on the way they harness, convert and use the solar energy. Active solar techniques use thermal collectors and photovoltaic panels, which generates electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct currents of electricity through semiconductors, to harness energy. Passive solar techniques include designing equipment that naturally circulate air, using light dispersing properties and using the sun as a point of reference on where to place a building. Common features of buildings that use passive solar techniques include compact proportions, thermal mass, and selective shading. Thermal mass includes any material that can be used to store heat. Common thermal mass items include water, stone, and cement. Solar energy can be used to provide a number of different services to your home. It can be used to disinfect water, cook and prepare food, heat, and even cool. Solar cookers harness the suns energy for cooking, drying and pasteurization. They can be grouped into three different categories including box cookers, panel cookers, and reflector cookers. People also use the power of the sun to propel cars, boats, and airplanes. The world Solar Challenge is a bi-annual solar-powered car race that has been in the works since 1987. As you can see, solar power can help you heat your home, cook, and even assists in transportation, and all at a lower cost than other energy sources. Among the various renewable energy resources, solar energy potential is the highest in the country. In most parts of India, clear sunny weather is experienced 250 to 300 days a year. The annual radiation varies from 1600 to 2200 kWh/m2, which is comparable with radiation received in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. The equivalent energy potential is about 6,000 million GWh of energy per year. The National Action Plan on Climate Change also points out: India is a tropical country, where sunshine is available for longer hours per day and in great intensity. Solar energy, therefore, has great potential as future energy source. It also has the advantage of permitting the decentralized distribution of energy, thereby empowering people at the grassroots level. With the objective to establish India as a global leader in solar energy, by creating the policy conditions for its diffusion across the country as quickly as possible Government of India launched National Solar Mission. In the next few years it is expected that millions of households in the world will be using solar energy as the trends in USA and Japan show. In India too, the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency and the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources are formulating a program to have solar energy in more than a million households in the next few years. However, the peoples initiative is essential if the program is to be successful.

Manmade Technologies & Enterprises New Delhi, India tmanmade@gmail.com

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A Clear Path to Solar Success Our approach is straightforward and effective: we work with customers individually to customize the solar energy services that will maximize benefits for their specific needs. We help customers achieve solar success in three phases: 1. Analysis, Design and Construction: We conduct an on-site assessment of your energy needs and solar production potential. From that assessment, Manmade Technologies designs a photovoltaic power system that utilizes the latest technologies, materials and designs to optimize solar energy production. We manage the entire process. 2. Certification and Operation: We manage the complete renewable power certification process and perform testing to identify baseline use and savings. We then activate your system and generate clean, renewable energy from the sun. 3. Monitoring and Maintenance: Using state-ofthe-art, technology, we continually monitor and control system performance. When needed, we deploy certified technicians quickly to keep systems running at optimal levels. Customers can check in on the performance of their solar energy service via Manmade Technologies Client Connect portal Installing solar power offers a way to reduce your electricity bills and to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. A solar power system includes the solar panels, an inverter and associated electrical and mounting equipment. The solar panels are often called photovoltaic (PV) panels which mean that they turn light into electricity. This is different to solar hot water systems that capture the suns heat. When you install solar PV, your house will use the available power from the panels instead of buying it from the grid, which can save you money. If you generate more power than you need at any one time, this excess power can be exported to the grid. Its important to us that our partnership with the academic community extends beyond the services that we offer. We also support solar curricula development and energy research at many educational institutions. Were focused on continually driving innovation to improve the efficiency of solar panels and equipment, and to reduce the costs of solar solutions. Our collaborative work with academic researchers is an important part of these efforts. In todays world of ever-increasing energy costs, many people are looking for a more affordable alternative to gas or electric power. More and more people are turning toward natural sources of energy to power their homes, including solar, hydroelectricity, water and wind energy.

India is one of the few countries with long days and plenty of sunshine, especially in the Thar Desert region. This zone, having abundant solar energy available, is suitable for harnessing solar energy for a number of applications. In areas with similar intensity of solar radiation, solar energy could be easily harnessed. Solar thermal energy is being used in India for heating water for both industrial and domestic purposes. A 140 MW integrated solar power plant is to be set up in Jodhpur but the initial expense incurred is still very high.

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In the next few years it is expected that millions of households in the world will be using solar energy as the trends in USA and Japan show. In India too, the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency and the Ministry of NonConventional Energy Sources are formulating a program to have solar energy in more than a million households in the next few years. However, the peoples initiative is essential if the program is to be successful.

Solar energy can also be used to meet our electricity requirements. Through Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) cells, solar radiation gets converted into DC electricity directly. This electricity can either be used as it is or can be stored in the battery. This stored electrical energy then can be used at night. SPV can be used for a number of applications such as: a. domestic lighting b. street lighting c. village electrification d. water pumping e. desalination of salty water f. powering of remote telecommunication repeater stations and railway signals.

Solar energy is not just another alternate source of electricity, but the only reliable, scalable and simple solution to address global warming

The Future of Solar Energy in India

By 2050, solar energy alone will produce 1.3 times the current energy production of the country. By 2020, there will be cost parity between solar energy and conventional grid power If successful, this initiative will far exceed India's plans for nuclear power generation and dwarf current solar energy leaders in domestic market size and export manufacturing.

Preparing for installation Many companies sell and install solar PV systems, including some electricity retailers. Always take the time to compare quotes and do your background research. Do not allow yourself to be pressured into an on the spot sale. When comparing quotes from different suppliers you should check for: The size of the system and inverter (which may not be the same) and what will best suit your needs; Any surcharges (such as for difficult access or non-standard mounting of the panels); Whether a deposit is required; How long it will take to get your system installed; The warranty and contract conditions; Whether the company uses accredited designers and installers; Whether the solar power supplier will liaise with your distributor and retailer to ensure that you have the right type of meter and that you will receive a feed in tariff. If you have an older type meter your distributor will need to install a new meter that will support your solar PV system. This meter may be called an interval, bidirectional or smart meter. You may be charged for a meter upgrade through the electricity bill you receive from your retailer. You can check with your retailer or distributor for information on a new meter and how much it may cost.

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Advantages of solar power The sun is constant it will always be there and is therefore a reliable, utterly renewable source of energy. Once the initial financial outlay has been made to purchase the solar panels, the suns energy is completely free. As it does not rely on the burning of harmful fuels to generate electricity, solar power is non-polluting it does not contribute to global warming or greenhouse gas emissions. As there are no moving parts in a solar panel, they require very little maintenance. Solar power allows those in remote locations to live off the grid without having to rely solely on noisy, smelly generators. It is part of the solution to becoming energy self-sufficient. Without the need for wires, cords or power sources, solar panels are incredibly easy to install. Solar energy is renowned for its versatility it can be used to power anything from a tiny torch to a satellite in space. Solar technology is improving and reducing in cost all the time, whereas fossil fuel prices are only steadily increasing

Disadvantages of solar power Solar energy relies upon enough sunlight reaching the photovoltaic cells on cloudy days here may not be enough sunshine to produce sufficient electricity and production shuts down completely at night so back-up energy sources are necessary. Currently, solar panels are expensive to produce and therefore also expensive to purchase. Solar panels can currently only convert a maximum of 34% (and around 22% for the majority of panels) of the available sunlight into electrical energy, although more efficient panels are being developed. Because sunlight is diffuse, a large number of solar panels are needed to produce adequate amounts of electricity, necessitating both expense and space. Some believe solar panels are eyesores and traditional silicon crystalline panels, which are the most efficient, are big and bulky thanks to needing a rigid frame. The efficiency of photovoltaic panels decreases the hotter the panel becomes a problem with an energy source which requires a large amount of sunlight to produce electricity. Currently, solar electricity storage is not quite there yet. Solar drip-feed batteries are available but they are costly and bulky.

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What are the different scientific ways to harness solar energy? There are several types of technologies that can be used to harness solar energy ranging from electric power generation to solar water heating or cooking. The solar technologies for electrical power generally fall into two broad categories: photovoltaic and concentrated solar thermal. Photovoltaic (PV) Systems: Photovoltaic systems are solid-state semi-conductor devices that directly convert solar energy to electricity. PV systems can be installed as distributed systems on rooftops, or at utility scale in the form of solar farms. Even though the installed cost of PV systems is relatively high, the benefit of photovoltaic systems is in their low O&M costs and in long term durability & reliability. In 2008, nearly 8 GW of PV had been installed worldwide in grid-tied installations. Driven by various policy programs in Japan, Germany, the US, Spain, and many other countries, PV is increasingly seen as a viable alternative for electricity generation growing in volume globally second only to wind power among renewable energy technologies. However, large scale utility and industrial users are increasingly interested in solar technologies that may be more useable in central station applications including those that can be more rapidly scalable, inherently dispatchable or predictable, and possibly those generating heat versus direct electricity to supplement existing heat driven power plants. Many potential concentrating solar technologies are being pursued in an attempt to meet these needs. Concentrated Solar Thermal Power (CST or CSP): CSP involves power generation by concentrating solar energy to generate steam and drive turbines. Sun's rays are reflected off an array of concentrators on to either a network of small tubes running across the face of the mirrors or a large central tower, in which water is turned into steam to drive conventional turbines for generating electricity. Parabolic trough concentrating collectors, power tower/heliostat configurations, and parabolic dish collectors are used in CSP systems. An additional advantage of CSP systems is the ability to run combined cycle plants with natural gas or biogas, and incorporating thermal storage of energy. Both these measures improve power dispatchability, a key element for quality grid power.

Parabolic trough technology is the most widely adopted worldwide, with over 450MW of global installed capacity benefitting from almost two decades of operational experience. Parabolic Trough Systems: A parabolic trough system consists of trough-shaped mirror reflectors to concentrate solar radiation on to receiver tubes containing thermal transfer fluid which is heated to produce steam. This is one of the most developed, economically viable and widely accepted CSP technologies. Currently, most of the CSP projects under construction employ this technology. Approximately 354MW of parabolic trough power plants are operational in the Mojave Desert, USA, since 1989. An additional 64MW power plant has been operating since 2007 in Nevada, USA. The chief engineer for Nevada plant is an advisor to SunBorne.

Development and the Future

With energy prices going up and supplies shrinking, global warming issues, renewable energy has become a focus area for policy makers and governments globally. A shift towards renewable energy is necessary to meet the rapidly increasing energy needs. An indication of the increase in energy requirements is visible in the crude oil import figures, which have increased from 2.7% of GDP in 2001 to 7.7% of GDP in 2008. Solar Energy is a social revolution that has the power to elevate India and its people in a way that no technology has before. It does so by addressing the basis of decent living...electricity and water.

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How has the energy landscape evolved? The solar energy industry has experienced an unprecedented growth in the eight years from 2000 to 2007. Global private investment in solar energy has increased from around $500 million in 2004 to over $12 billion by the end of 2007 (as per the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, USA). This phenomenal twenty-fold increase during a short span of 4 years clearly indicates that solar technologies are fast maturing and narrowing the competition with conventional sources of energy as well as other sources of renewable energy.
How to get solar power There are several steps to install solar PV at your home or business. Usually the supplier of your solar PV system will guide you through these steps, but it is important that you are aware of the process because your input may be needed at various times: First decide whether solar power is financially suitable for you (see "Financial Considerations" section, below) Check with your electricity retailer about whether you are eligible for a feed in tariff for the excess electricity you export back to the grid. If you are satisfied with the retailers feed in tariff offer and the associated terms and conditions, ask them about signing up for it. You will not automatically start receiving a feed in tariff simply because you have installed a system. Check with your electricity retailer whether you are likely to need a new meter and about any changes to your electricity consumption tariff structure and rate. You can shop around for a better deal from another electricity retailer at any time. Choose a reputable solar supplier - the company that will sell you a solar power system and install it for you. Check whether the company uses accredited designers and installers. You have to use an accredited installer to get a benefit from the Federal Governments Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). You can use this to reduce the upfront cost of your system.

Indias power demand has soared with economic growth. Figure 1 refers to the peak power deficit in India. India is heavily dependent on fossil based generation which supplies about 67% of power generated. This translates to ever increasing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and increasing dependence on foreign supplies. Wind power has dominated the development of renewable energy with current installed capacity of about 10 GW. Solar energy is primarily being used for water heating applications and off grid units. Clearly, capacity mix going forward needs to be changed from current levels to ensure sustainable growth. Environmental considerations Solar power generation produces no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution. The energy used to manufacture a solar power system is small compared to the energy generated by the system and is paid back many times over the life of the system. If you sell the Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) from your system to reduce the upfront price, your STCs will be counted as part of the Federal Governments Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). If you dont sell your STCs and let them expire, you are providing additional emissions reduction beyond the SRES scheme, but the upfront cost of the solar power system will be higher. SOLAR ENERGY IS THE FUTURE Solar energy is one of the first forms of energy discovered by humans. For centuries, we have knowingly and unknowingly been harnessing energy from the sun in various ways for various reasons to heat, to generate fire, to dry, to light up, and so on with or without using technology - passively or actively. Passive Solar Energy is one where we alter our way of creating, planning and living our structures, activities and lives to best utilize sunlight and the heat from it. For example, farmers follow solar and seasonal cycles to plan their farming based on the intensity of the sun and its effects on the monsoon and water patterns. Active Solar Energy on the other hand is science and technology driven wherein we capture the heat from the sun and reuse it at a time and in a form convenient for us mainly as electricity.

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