Question 1

What is a Solar EPC Company?

Accepted Answer

A Solar EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) company handles the complete solar project lifecycle — design, material procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, approvals, and ongoing maintenance. UniSolar is a full-stack EPC.

Question 2

What are the benefits of installing a rooftop solar system?

Accepted Answer

Reduced electricity bills, protection against tariff hikes, clean and environment-friendly generation, very low maintenance requirements, eligibility for PM Surya Ghar subsidy (residential), and an increase in property value.

Question 3

What is the difference between On-Grid, Off-Grid, and Hybrid systems?

Accepted Answer

On-Grid: connected to the electricity grid, no battery. Off-Grid: independent of the grid, runs entirely on battery backup. Hybrid: connected to the grid with battery backup, giving you both export credits and outage protection.

Question 4

How much electricity does a solar system generate?

Accepted Answer

In Telangana, a 1 kW system generates approximately 4–5 units per day, or around 1,500 units per kW per year. So a 3 kW system produces ~4,500 units annually, and a 5 kW system around 7,500 units.

Question 5

What is the average life of a solar power plant?

Accepted Answer

Solar panels generally last 25–30 years, with a gradual reduction in efficiency over time. Most Tier-1 panels still produce 80%+ of rated output at year 25.

Question 6

Can solar work during power cuts?

Accepted Answer

Standard On-Grid systems automatically shut down during power cuts for safety reasons. Hybrid or Off-Grid systems with batteries can provide backup during outages.

Question 7

What is PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?

Accepted Answer

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a Government of India scheme providing subsidy for residential rooftop solar installations. The aim is to make clean energy affordable for households across the country.

Question 8

What is the subsidy amount under PM Surya Ghar Scheme?

Accepted Answer

For residential households: ₹30,000/kW for systems up to 2 kW; for 3 kW and above, a total of ₹78,000 (₹30,000 for the first 2 kW + ₹18,000 for the 3rd kW). Group Housing Societies / Resident Welfare Associations get ₹18,000/kW for common facilities (including EV charging) up to 500 kW capacity at 3 kW per house.

Question 9

Is subsidy available for commercial installations?

Accepted Answer

No. The PM Surya Ghar subsidy is applicable only for residential rooftop systems. Commercial customers instead benefit from accelerated depreciation under Income Tax provisions.

Question 10

How can customers apply for PM Surya Ghar subsidy?

Accepted Answer

Applications are submitted through the official National Rooftop Solar Portal after installation by an MNRE-approved vendor. UniSolar handles the full application, paperwork, and follow-up on your behalf.

Question 11

Is vendor registration mandatory for subsidy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Installation must be carried out by vendors empanelled with the relevant DISCOM and MNRE. UniSolar is fully empanelled with TSREDCO and PM Surya Ghar.

Question 12

What documents are required for subsidy application?

Accepted Answer

Aadhaar card, latest electricity bill, bank account details, property ownership documents, and a passport-size photograph.

Question 13

What is net metering and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Net metering allows you to export excess solar power to the grid and receive credit adjustments in your electricity bill through your Telangana DISCOM (TSSPDCL / TSNPDCL). At the end of the billing cycle, you only pay for the net electricity consumed.

Question 14

Is net metering mandatory for On-Grid solar systems?

Accepted Answer

Yes — if you want to export excess electricity to the grid and receive credit on your bill, net metering approval is mandatory.

Question 15

What is the process for net metering approval?

Accepted Answer

Seven steps: 1) Site survey, 2) Application submission, 3) Technical feasibility approval, 4) Installation, 5) Inspection, 6) Net meter installation, 7) Synchronisation approval. UniSolar runs all seven for you.

Question 16

How long does net metering approval take in Telangana?

Accepted Answer

Typically 15–45 working days, depending on DISCOM processing times in your specific area.

Question 17

What is sanctioned load?

Accepted Answer

Sanctioned load is the approved electricity load allotted by the DISCOM to your connection — essentially, the maximum power your service line is rated for.

Question 18

Can solar capacity exceed sanctioned load?

Accepted Answer

Generally, rooftop solar capacity should stay within DISCOM regulations and the sanctioned load limit on your connection. Larger systems may require a load enhancement first.

Question 19

What happens if more power is generated than consumed?

Accepted Answer

Excess units are exported to the grid and credited on future bills as per DISCOM policy. Credits are typically rolled over for up to 12 months.

Question 20

Is a separate transformer required for rooftop solar?

Accepted Answer

Usually not for residential systems. Larger commercial or industrial projects may require a dedicated transformer depending on load and DISCOM norms.

Question 21

How much area is required for a solar plant?

Accepted Answer

Approximate shadow-free rooftop area: 1 kW needs ~100 sq.ft, 5 kW needs ~500 sq.ft, 10 kW needs ~1,000 sq.ft.

Question 22

Is shadow-free rooftop mandatory?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a shadow-free area is essential for maximum generation. Even partial shading on a single panel can reduce the output of an entire string.

Question 23

Can solar panels withstand rain and heat in Telangana?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Solar panels are designed for outdoor conditions including high summer temperatures and heavy monsoon rainfall. They're IP65/IP67 rated for water and dust resistance.

Question 24

What happens during cloudy weather?

Accepted Answer

Generation reduces but does not stop completely. Panels still produce 25–40% of their peak output on overcast days.

Question 25

Can tenants install solar systems?

Accepted Answer

Generally, owner consent and proper documentation are required before a tenant can install a rooftop solar system.

Question 26

What are the major components of a solar system?

Accepted Answer

Solar modules, inverter, mounting structure, ACDB/DCDB, earthing, lightning arrestor, cables and connectors, and a net meter.

Question 27

What is a solar inverter?

Accepted Answer

A solar inverter converts the DC power generated by the panels into usable AC power that runs your appliances and feeds the grid.

Question 28

What is the efficiency of solar panels?

Accepted Answer

Modern Tier-1 solar panels typically operate at 20–23% efficiency. UniSolar uses panels from Adani Solar, Waaree, Tata Power Solar, and Vikram Solar.

Question 29

What warranties are provided?

Accepted Answer

Solar panels carry a 25–30 year performance warranty. Inverters are warranted for 5–10 years. Mounting structures depend on the material and project scope, typically 5–25 years.

Question 30

What is synchronization in solar?

Accepted Answer

Synchronisation is the final step in which the solar plant is safely connected to the utility grid after DISCOM approval. Once synced, your system can both draw from and export to the grid.

Question 31

What is the typical payback period for solar projects?

Accepted Answer

Residential systems typically pay back in 3–5 years. Commercial and industrial projects pay back faster — usually 2–4 years — thanks to accelerated depreciation and higher consumption offsets.

Question 32

How long does installation take?

Accepted Answer

Residential installations take 2–7 days. Commercial projects depend on plant size and approval timelines. End-to-end from assessment to commissioning is typically 2–4 weeks including DISCOM approvals.

Question 33

What is the maintenance required for solar systems?

Accepted Answer

Mainly periodic cleaning of the modules and routine inspection of electrical components. UniSolar's AMC covers annual inspection, panel cleaning, inverter health checks, wiring inspection, and performance monitoring.

Question 34

Does cleaning improve generation?

Accepted Answer

Yes — dust accumulation can reduce generation efficiency significantly. We recommend cleaning every 2–3 months for optimal performance.

Question 35

Do solar panels require water every day for cleaning?

Accepted Answer

No. Cleaning frequency depends on dust levels and the surrounding environment. In most of Telangana, every 2–3 months is sufficient — and monsoon rain does much of the work.

Question 36

Will my electricity bill become zero?

Accepted Answer

Not always. Minimum DISCOM charges and night-time consumption from the grid still apply. Most homeowners see a 70–90% reduction in their monthly bill.

Question 37

What is Accelerated Depreciation (AD) benefit for businesses?

Accepted Answer

Eligible businesses can claim accelerated depreciation under Income Tax provisions on solar assets — typically 40% in the first year — significantly reducing the effective cost of the system.

Question 38

Do you offer solar water heaters and heat pumps?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer solar water heaters (ETC & FPC types) and Solar Assisted Heat Pumps (SAHP). These can save up to 70% on water heating costs. Ideal for homes, hotels, hostels, and hospitals. Capacities from 100L to 5,000L.

Question 39

What about solar fencing and LED lights?

Accepted Answer

We provide solar fencing systems for farms, estates, and industrial perimeters with no external power needed. We also offer solar LED lights for streets, gardens, pathways, and campuses with dusk-to-dawn automation.

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