Question 1

How does a PV solar system work?

Accepted Answer

Photovoltaic panels made of semiconductor material (silicon) capture sunlight and convert it to direct electric current (DC). Inverters convert the DC current to safe alternating current (AC) that can be used in your home. The AC is connected to your electrical panel (sometimes called an electrical breaker panel or electrical box) for electricity distribution throughout your house.

Question 2

How much maintenance is required?

Accepted Answer

Solar PV systems generally require very little maintenance. For Indian conditions, spraying them down with water once a week to remove excessive dirt and debris is typically all that is needed.

Question 3

How many solar panels will I need for my property?

Accepted Answer

Our experts will calculate how many panels you need based on your electricity usage over the past year and the size of your roof.

Question 4

If my roof is shaded, does that make a difference?"

Accepted Answer

Shade reduces the amount of electricity your system can produce. In principle, it is recommended to avoid shady areas. However, if shading is unavoidable, our experts will analyze the losses and provide appropriate recommendations. Our experts will design your system for maximum sun exposure, but sometimes a roof may be too shady to make solar feasible.

Question 5

What is the difference between on-grid and off-grid solar PV system?

Accepted Answer

An on-grid or grid-tied solar photovoltaic system is when your solar photovoltaic system is connected to a utility source or electrical service provider. On-grid solar systems are advantageous as the owner utilizes the electricity during the day and any surplus is supplied to the grid; some utilities pay for this surplus electricity at a higher rate known as a Feed In Tariff (FIT). During the evenings, when solar electricity is not generated, electricity is drawn from the grid avoiding the need for costly battery banks.
 
An off-grid or standalone photovoltaic system is when your solar photovoltaic system is not connected to the utility grid and you are producing your own electricity via solar, generator, etc. These systems will generally have a battery bank in order to store the electricity for use when needed.

Question 6

Will I have power during power outage?

Accepted Answer

It depends if your solar system is on-grid or off-grid. For an on-grid system, the inverters on the panels shut down automatically during power outage. When power is restored to the grid, your system automatically resumes operation.
 
For an off-grid system, solar PV together with battery backup supports your regular loads during power outage.

Question 7

How do I know what technology is best for my facility?

Accepted Answer

Our experts evaluate the options of various technologies, configurations and selected sites to bring the best returns and savings to the project. As your trusted partner, we will listen to your needs and concerns, and identify the best solution for your facilities.

Question 8

What is the normal warranty on the solar systems?

Accepted Answer

We use top grade panels and Inverters available in the market. Panels have a 25-year factory warranty and Inverters have a 5-year factory warranty, which is extendable to 10 years. We offer a 12-month warranty on the complete system.

Question 9

What subsidies and incentives are available?

Accepted Answer

The subsidy is limited to Residential, Institutional (not-for-profit) and Social Sectors. The availability and quantum need to be checked every now and then.

Question 10

Is Goggles Energy an EPC company?

Accepted Answer

We are solar project developers and expert consultants. We have our own EPC team to handle projects. Unlike EPC companies who propose one technology solution, we evaluate and procure technology from a wide range of service providers. We leverage our industry experience to find the best pricing-and the best solution-for your particular needs.
 
We provide you a complete solution and not just solar PV systems.

Question 11

What is Net - Metering?

Accepted Answer

Net metering allows customers with PV system to use any excess electricity they produce to offset their electric bill. As the homeowner’s PV system produces electricity, the kilowatts are first used for any electric appliances in the home. If the PV system produces more electricity than the homeowner needs, the extra kilowatts are fed into the utility grid, which is offset with non-solar periods.

Question 12

What happens on cloudy days?

Accepted Answer

Grid-connected PV system seamlessly switches to draw from the utility grid when needed. As such, Goggles Energy uses an annual production target, averaging out sunnier days with cloudy days.

Question 13

Do I need batteries?

Accepted Answer

If you require back-up power or are looking to upgrade your business’s disaster preparedness, we can design a battery storage solution for your PV system to automatically switchover in the event of a power outage. Most customers inquire about batteries and ultimately choose to do without based on cost, since maintenance of battery is high and replacement of batteries results in additional cost for the customers.

Question 14

I have plans for expansion. Can I plan for this now?

Accepted Answer

We frequently take into account future growth plans when designing your system. In some cases it may make sense to include excess capacity now and simply add more modules later. We’ll discuss this with you and explore a variety of options to meet your needs now and in the future.

Question 15

How much weight will this put on my roof?

Accepted Answer

The modules that we use for the PV systems typically weigh no more than 13 kg for 1 sq.m, and most roofs can accommodate 2-3 times that amount of ’dead load' weight and your specific roof load capacity will be taken into account with our proposed design.

Question 16

How much are these systems and how much money will I save each year? (Or, how long will it take to pay back my investment?)"

Accepted Answer

Depending on the size of the system that is to be installed and the electric tariff of that location (industrial, commercial, residential) the payback period could vary from about 4-6 years and the following consecutive years would be the profitable years for the customers.

Question 17

Does cleaning the modules require any special expertise or equipment?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, a simple hose will typically do, though some customers prefer to use a high-pressure sprayer from the ground where the array is accessible.

Question 18

How much a PV system costs?

Accepted Answer

Many factors determine the final cost for a PV system, such as: System size, type of mounting system, roof material and pitch, wiring runs, civil works and various other installation details.

Question 19

Who takes care of paperwork?

Accepted Answer

When you invest in a solar PV system, Goggles Energy will take care of the paperwork associated with your installations.

Question 20

What’s the installation time?

Accepted Answer

The solar PV installation itself usually takes between two and five days, depending on the size and scale of the job. However, the entire process can take up to 6 to 12 weeks due to the permitting and application process.

Frequently asked questions