Solar Solutions
Though Kashmir has great solar potential, solar roof systems face challenges from the region's extreme winters and frequent snowfalls. However, solar power can still be harnessed effectively with proper planning and equipment. Tilted solar panel mounts, elevated installations, and snow-resistant panel coatings allow snow to slide off easily, preventing buildup. Choosing monocrystalline panels and lithium batteries provides good low-light and cold weather performance. While generation may dip in winter, well-designed solar roof systems in Kashmir can provide clean electricity and savings year-round. The long summer seasons also offer ample sunlight for power generation. Solar roof systems are a viable sustainable energy solution for homes and businesses in Kashmir despite the cold, snowy winters.
On-grid Solar Solution
On-grid solar systems are connected to the main utility electrical grid. Panels are installed on a roof or ground and connected to the utility grid. During the day, the panels produce electricity that supplies the building's needs. Any excess solar power is fed into the grid, offsetting electricity purchased from the utility. The owner gets credits for contributing electricity to the grid which offset the electricity they use at night or when solar panels aren't producing. No battery storage is required since the grid acts as the battery.
Off-grid Solar Solution
Off-grid solar systems operate independently of the utility grid. Panels are installed and connected to a bank of batteries, not the utility grid. The batteries store electricity produced by the solar panels during daylight hours. At night or when solar panels are not producing, the stored battery power is used to meet the building's electricity needs. Since there is no connection to the grid, batteries are required to store excess solar energy for use when the sun isn't shining. All power produced is consumed on-site rather than exported to the grid. The battery size needs to be large enough to meet power needs when solar panels are not producing.
| Feature | On-grid | Off-grid |
|---|---|---|
| Connection to utility grid | Yes | No |
| Backup power during grid outages | No | Yes |
| Feed-in tariffs for excess power | Yes | No |
| Upfront system cost | Lower, no batteries needed | Higher, batteries required |
| Ongoing maintenance costs | Lower | Higher |
| Ideal for | Areas with reliable grid connection | Remote areas with unreliable/no grid access |
| Scalability | Unlimited scalability by adding more panels | Unlimited scalability by adding more panels/batteries |
| Self-consumption vs export | Export excess to grid | Fully self-consumed |