Are you thinking about buying a solar electric system for your home or business?

Solar electric systems, which are also called photovoltaic or PV systems, are reliable and pollution-free. They make use of a renewable source of energy— the sun. And PV systems for homes and businesses are becoming more affordable all the time.

PV works best in an energy-efficient building. So, adding insulation and energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and windows is a good idea, to reduce your home’s overall electricity use before you install a PV system.

To make PV systems even more affordable, some utilities have net metering programs, which further enhance the economics of PV. Net metering means that when your PV system generates more power than you need, the excess goes to the utility grid and the meter runs backward. This allows you to receive full retail value for the power that your PV system generates.

A PV system can be a substantial investment. As with any investment, careful planning will help you make the right decisions for your home or business.


What is a solar electric or photovoltaic system?

Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly to electricity. They work any time the sun is shining, but more electricity is produced when the sunlight is more intense and strikes the PV modules directly (as when rays of sunlight are perpendicular to the PV modules). Unlike solar thermal systems for heating water, PV does not use the sun's heat to make electricity. Instead, electrons freed by the interaction of sunlight with semiconductor materials in PV cells are captured as electric current.

PV allows you to produce electricity— without noise or air pollution—from a clean, renewable resource. A PV system never runs out of fuel, and it won't increase oil imports.

The basic building block of PV technology is the solar “cell.” Multiple PV cells are connected to form a PV “module,” the smallest PV component sold commercially. Modules range in power output from about 10 watts to 300 watts.

A PV system connected or “tied” to the utility grid has these components:

• One or more PV modules, which are connected to an inverter

• The inverter, which converts the system's direct-current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC)

• Batteries (optional) to provide energy storage or backup power in case of a power interruption or outage on the grid.

AC electricity is compatible with the utility grid. It powers our lights, appliances, computers, and televisions.


Net Metering

Special electricity meter (net-meter) will be fixed by the CEB/LECO to monitor additional power used from the grid; your monthly electricity bill will be calculated for these additional units only.

JLANKA systems are approved by the CEB and LECO to connect on to national power grid.  Solaredge and SMA inverters have special inverter settings that enable them to work within the CEB specified grid parameters.


Fixed deposit in the bank vs. Buying a Solar system

In very early days it was possible to pay the electricity bill from the interest by fixed depositing the investment of a solar power generation. But now it is not possible at all because

1. The investment have reduced dramatically as per kW price
2. The electricity tariff has increased to very high levels
3. The interest rates for the fixed deposits is less than rate of rise of electricity bills
4. Protected against sudden rise of electricity tariff rates

Therefore fix deposits are no longer an investment, when compared to investing in solar power generation plants. Exploring market for various solar solution, it’s clear that some provide systems with shorter warranty period and less overall harvesting under Sri Lankan weather conditions. JLanka have the correct solution with longest warranty period to have the maximum return.