During the monsoon season in Kerala, there is abundant rain, gloomy clouds and high winds. One of the questions people often ask when thinking about solar energy is, “Does solar power system work in these extremes?
Fortunately, solar panels can still produce electricity during the monsoon, albeit with typically lower levels due to less sunlight. On-grid and Off-grid solar systems can still be useful for useful energy during the rainy season if they are properly installed and maintained.
Solar Panels during Kerala’s Monsoon?
Yes, with Kerala’s monsoon season, there is no doubt that solar panels will function. They can create electricity from the sun, even when the light is diffuse, such as behind a cloud. But, high cloud levels and constant rainfall hinder the exposure of the panels to sunlight.
Highest consumption of electricity and least electricity generation was noticed during Southwest monsoon months of June, July and August in a solar power plant in Kuzhalmannam, Palakkad. This points to the necessity of taking account area weather when a solar setup is expected.
Due to cloud, rain and the available sunlight, for house in Kottayam, Pala, Erattupetta etc in kerala, the solar output may not be consistent for a particular day.
What Happens to Solar Panel efficacy during Heavy Rainfall?
Rain has several impacts on solar panel performance:
1. Lower electricity generation: On cloudy days, there will be less electricity generation as there is less direct sunlight on the panels. Long spells of rain can cause the total amount of energy generated to be lower over a few days.
2. Natural cleaning: Some dust and loose dust is washed off solar panels by rain. But it might not get rid of hard stains such as bird droppings or any other depositions completely.
3. Strong winds and storms: Strong winds can impact mounting structures, particularly when panels are not properly fastened. The weather-related risks are minimised through professional handling and proper installation.
Damaged cables, or poorly sealed connections or faulty electrical components can cause moisture-related problems, as solar panels are expected to be used outdoors, but with long periods of rain. These are problems that can be caught by regular inspections.
On-Grid and Off-Grid Solar Systems during Monsoon.
Selecting the appropriate solar system is crucial when it comes to controlling power requirements throughout Kerala monsoons.
On-Grid Solar Systems
On grid solar system: The solar system is connected to the electricity grid. In sunny times, it can produce electricity for the house and send the rest of the energy towards the power grid, according to the current net-metering scheme.
If there is less Solar generation on the days of the monsoon clouds, the household can use the electricity that the grid can provide, if the grid is available. But for safety purposes, most standard on-grid solar system automatically switch off in case of a grid outage.
Off-Grid Solar Systems
Off-grid solar system: This stands out as an independent solar energy system that doesn’t connect to the electricity grid and typically incorporates batteries to save energy. Monsoon seasons can be used to address the power needs of critical appliances in case of low solar generation, using stored electricity.
For an off grid solar system pala kerala , the number of days in a row that are cloudy, how much energy that household consumes and the capacity of the batteries are all factors in how well an off-grid system can satisfy that household’s electrical requirements. This is especially significant for those households which suffer from regular electricity disconnections.
What Are the Solar Panel Maintenance During the Monsoons?
Here are some helpful maintenance advice to ensure your solar system continues to function efficiently:
Check panels periodically: Check for visible cracks, loose mounting parts and accumulation of debris.
Trim overhang branches: They can shade, and might fall in strong winds.
Check the system performance: Keep an eye on inverter number readings and daily electricity generation from the system; notice any unusual falls.
Check drainage: Make sure water will drain from installation site and not pool around electrical equipment.
Schedule professional service: Get professional service to check wiring, connections, earthing, surge protection if necessary.
Do not go on wet roofs or touch electrical equipment during storms. Have inspection and repairs done by trained people.
Solar Energy in Kerala during Monsoon – Is it worth it?
Yes. Despite the reduced production of solar power during longer spell of rains, it can continue to be a good long-term investment to this state of Kerala. The important part is to design the system according to the local weather, the anticipated electrical usage and backup needed.
An on-grid system of the right size can help lower reliance on electricity from the grid in the long term and an off-grid system with adequate battery storage may be able to help during a power outage. The actual results of savings and reliability will be a function of system design, weather, tariffs and usage.
Conclusion
Although the monsoon season in Kerala decreases the production of solar electricity it does not completely eliminate the working of the solar panels. Seasonal fluctuations in performance can be accommodated by proper installation and regular maintenance and realistic energy planning by owners.
From the choice of on-grid, which is more likely to lower the electricity bill, to off-grid, which is more likely to give more energy independence, picking a solar system right for the climate of Kerala can help to make the most of solar energy all year round.
