- What is Solar Hybrid (Off-Grid), Solar Grid interactive and Solar Grid Interactive Hybrid systems. What is the basic difference between all three systems?
Solar hybrid system is a solar solution that comprises PV panels, batteries and a hybrid/off-grid inverter. It works with or without grid support and is designed for self-sustainability.
Solar grid interactive is a system that is in sync with your local grid. It requires a grid interactive inverter and solar panels. It works to send excess solar power generated back to your local grid via a net meter. It only works as long as grid supply is available. If electricity gets cut off, this system no longer functions.
Solar grid interactive hybrid brings you the Power of 2. It consists of a grid interactive hybrid inverter, batteries and solar panels. When grid supply is available, it will send excess solar power back to your local grid via net metering and when grid power is not available, it will use your batteries to run your critical loads.
- Where can we use Solar Hybrid (Off-Grid) Systems?
You can use them if you experience long duration power cuts of 3 hours or more on a given day. Such a system is widely recommended if you have a premise in a remote part of the country.
- Where can we use Solar Grid Interactive (GI) System?
You can use them if your grid supply is reliable on a 24x7 basis or if your daytime power cut is bare minimum (0-1 hour). As long as grid supply exists, this system will sell excess solar back to your local grid via a net meter to help reduce your monthly electricity bill.
- Where can we use the Solar Grid Interactive Hybrid (GIH) System?
You can use them if your grid supply is good enough and you experience short duration power cuts of 1-2 hours. This works as a grid interactive system, thus helping you reduce your electricity bill and at the same time, runs your critical loads during power cuts.
- I already have an inverter system. Can I simply use GI instead of GIH?
You can, but it is not recommended. GIH will provide power backup through batteries when grid supply is not available. No additional inverter system is required as backup is readily available.
When there is a power cut, GI with a normal inverter system will discharge the battery for backup. However, in GIH, the critical load will be catered by both solar power and battery power, leading to more solar utilization and enhanced battery backup.
- For which solar systems does the government provide subsidy?
Central subsidy via MNRE for GI and GIH systems that have been deployed in residential up to 10 KW and housing societies (>10 KW to 100 KW). Also, be aware of state level subsidies in your region that will help you further reduce the cost of buying our best in class solution.
- How to go about government approvals & subsidies for residential rooftop solar plants?
For the Solar GI/GIH system, one must ensure that all the necessary government requirements for net metering are taken care of. This may require some of your valuable time and fees depending on your local electricity utility/DISCOM. For battery based systems, no permits are required. However, in case there are subsidy schemes offered by the local government, additional documentation may be required for subsidy. Livguard products are designed as per IEC/BIS standards, and are eligible for subsidy schemes. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) regularly announces subsidy and its disbursement procedure on its website. It is recommended to visit the same.
- What is a zero export device?
The device helps PV plants to function without net metering. Also useful for establishments that have DG Sets wherein the solar power is not exported to the DG set.
