Frequently Asked Questions

Solar energy is electricity generated by converting sunlight into electrical power using photovoltaic (PV) cells in solar panels. When sunlight hits solar panels, photons knock electrons loose from silicon atoms, creating a flow of direct current (DC) electricity. A solar inverter then converts this DC power into 230V AC electricity used by your appliances.

A residential solar system in India costs approximately Rs.45,000 to Rs.60,000 per kW installed. A standard 3 kW system costs approximately Rs.1,35,000 - Rs.1,80,000 before subsidies. Under PM Surya Ghar Yojana, the central government subsidy is Rs.78,000 for 3 kW and above, bringing effective cost down significantly. Payback period is typically 4-6 years, after which electricity is essentially free for 20+ more years.

Quality solar panels have a performance warranty of 25 years, during which they maintain at least 80% of their original rated power output. The physical lifespan is often 30-35+ years. Vigeedha Solar panels carry a 25-year linear performance guarantee and a 10-year product warranty covering manufacturing defects.

Yes! Solar panels generate electricity from daylight — not direct sunlight alone. During overcast and partly cloudy conditions, panels produce 10-40% of their rated output depending on cloud density. Modern Mono PERC panels have excellent low-light performance. Even during Indian monsoon months, a well-designed system generates meaningful power and reduces your electricity bill.

Net metering is a billing mechanism where excess solar electricity you feed into the grid is credited to your account. When your panels produce more than you consume, the surplus flows to the grid and builds credits. These credits offset your electricity bill for power drawn at night. In India, DISCOMs compensate solar excess at rates ranging from Rs.2 to Rs.7 per unit depending on the state.

You need approximately 10 square metres (100 sq ft) of shadow-free rooftop area per kW of solar installed. So a 5 kW system requires approximately 50 square metres (500 sq ft). Our team conducts a free site survey to determine the exact feasibility and optimal configuration for your property.

The physical installation of a standard 3-5 kW residential solar system takes 1-2 days. However, the complete project timeline including survey, system design, component procurement, installation, and net metering application processing totals 6-8 weeks from contract signing to full net metering activation.

South-facing rooftops in India receive maximum sunlight and deliver optimal solar output. However, East-West installations are equally common and effective, capturing morning and evening sun respectively. West-facing rooftops are also productive, especially in states with Time-of-Day (ToD) metering where afternoon power is valued higher.

For standard on-grid solar systems, the system automatically shuts down during a power cut — this is a mandatory safety requirement (anti-islanding protection) to protect DISCOM linemen. If you want power backup during outages, you need a hybrid solar system with battery storage. Vigeedha Solar offers hybrid systems with LiFePO4 battery backup providing seamless power during outages.

Vigeedha Solar solar panels come with: (1) 10-Year Product Warranty covering manufacturing defects, material failures, and workmanship issues; and (2) 25-Year Linear Performance Warranty guaranteeing at least 87% of rated output at year 10 and 80% at year 25. Our warranty claims are handled directly — no third-party complications.

An on-grid inverter converts solar DC power to AC and feeds it to your home and the grid. It cannot provide backup power during outages. A hybrid inverter does everything an on-grid inverter does, plus it charges a battery bank from solar energy and provides seamless backup power during grid failures. If you experience frequent power cuts, a hybrid inverter system is the right choice.

Key solar subsidies in India: (1) PM Surya Ghar Yojana — up to Rs.78,000 central subsidy for residential rooftop solar; (2) State-level additional subsidies in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, J&K, and others; (3) PM-KUSUM — 60% subsidy for solar irrigation pumps for farmers; (4) MNRE subsidy for solar water heaters. Vigeedha Solar guides you through all applicable schemes.

Yes! Most nationalised and private banks in India offer solar loans at 7-12% interest rates. Popular options include SBI Solar Loan (up to Rs.10 lakh, 7 years tenure), Union Bank Solar Loan, Punjab National Bank Solar Loan, and Canara Bank Solar Loan. Vigeedha Solar partners with leading banks for hassle-free solar financing.

In most Indian cities, solar panels should be cleaned once every 2-4 weeks during dry seasons (October to May). During monsoon months (June to September), natural rainfall generally keeps panels clean. In dusty areas like Rajasthan, NCR, or near industrial zones, cleaning every 1-2 weeks is recommended. Use only soft cloth or sponge with clean water — no chemical detergents.

A Solar Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) from Vigeedha Solar includes: quarterly inspection visits, panel cleaning and output testing, inverter health check, thermographic scanning to detect hotspots, cable and connector tightening, DC/AC safety checks, 24/7 remote monitoring, priority breakdown response, and firmware updates. We strongly recommend AMC especially for commercial and industrial systems.