Energetica India Magazine October-November 2021

SOLAR POWER Before You Install Solar Panels, Ask Yourself These Questions 44 energetica INDIA- Oct-Nov_2021 Mayur Misra Co-Founder and CEO, Corrit Energy and Infra Going solar is a wise investment for both the environment and your pock- et. However, it is a significant step and a substantial upfront investment that needs extensive due diligence. Partner- ing with the right consultants can put you on the path to success. However, before taking the leap of faith, there are a few questions one should ask: 1. About the roof: Before you install solar panels, conduct a roof inspec- tion to determine whether your roof is suitable for solar installation or not. You should think over and double-check the following: • Strength: Determine if your roof is currently robust enough to hold your new solar panels or whether any mod- ifications or repairs are required. It is imperative that you take the age of the roof into account along with the amount of weight it can withstand. If you are intending to install a plant using RCC route, the thickness of the concrete must be considered to minimise water leakage and other issues. Additionally if you are opting for an industrial shed, the thickness of the metallic sheet must be considered since low grade metallic sheets are not durable. • Shadow free area: It is critical to have a proper shadow-free area so that post-investment solar plants could gen- erate strong returns. • Direction: Solar panels must be placed precisely in order to create the optimum quantity of power. It is advis - able to have your solar panels face south. This is because owners will save the most money and will have a better ROI if the panels are south facing. 2. About the solar company: The entire solar installation procedure is lengthy; you have to deal with and oversee several issues; thus, you must ensure that experienced professionals undertake your installation. Select a firm that has a high level of depend - ability, performance, and consumer satisfaction. Before deciding on a com- pany, ask them the following questions. • Background of the firm: Do exten - sive background research on the his- Installing solar panels are a great addition to your building, increasing its value while saving you money on energy expenditures. Solar solutions are an excellent method to save energy because they can provide electricity for years with a single upfront investment. Before deciding on the panels, ask yourself these questions.