FAQ'S

What is Solar Water Heating/ Thermal Technology ?
Solar Technology is a simple and easy to understand. Nature has blessed the earth with abundant sunlight. so far this rich natural resource has not been tapped to its fullest potential. Solar water heating technology is one unique attempt to convert some of this unending resource for profitable gains. Solar water Heater simply absorbs Sun's radiations and converts it into heat.


How does the solar water heating system work ?
The flat plate collector is a rectangular flat box, approx. 1 Mtr. X 2 Mtrs in size and 100 mm thick. It consists of copper fins, chrome plated in black. The fins have interconnected pipes running through them which carry water. The fins capture heat from the sun due to the properties of copper and the black color. The water flowing through the fins gets heated and is then stored into the hot water tank. The tank is insulated to maintain the water temperature. This water is then available for use through the user pipeline.

In what sizes and capacities are Synergic solar thermal systems available ?
The solar thermal systems can cater to requirements of any size. There is no upper limit, so long as there is adequate sunlight and space available for installation of the collectors and tank. The smallest system consisting of one collector can provide hot water up to 125 Liters per day, enough for a family of four to five persons.

There are solar thermal systems as large as 100,000 Liters per day running equally efficiently. The number of flat plate collectors as well as the size of the hot water tank required increases according to the capacity required.

How much savings can be achieved in power costs ? What is the payback period for the investment made in the solar thermal system ?
The solar thermal system replaces the conventional water heaters/ geysers running on electricity. his results in an immediate reduction in the power costs by as much as 65%.The normal payback period is 2 to 3 years.

What is the effective life of a Synergic solar thermal system ?
Synergic Solar thermal system are known to have performed effectively for over ten years.


How much and what kind of maintenance is required ?
Synergic Solar thermal system does not contain any moving parts (The only moving element is the water which is heated). It does not consume any electricity, nor any fuel. There are no residues nor any effluents. Therefore, the maintenance required is negligible. Only in cases where electric back-up is installed, some maintenance may be required occasionally, on account of electric components and wiring.

Does solar thermal system work effectively throughout the year irrespective of weather conditions (Winter/ Monsoons) ?
During monsoons, the effectiveness of the system is affected because of inadequate sunlight. If and when it rains continuously for two consecutive days or thick cloud cover, the solar heat cannot be captured. However the water does get lukewarm and hence remains slightly above ambient temperature. Normally, a solar thermal system can perform effectively for 310 days in a year. During the winter months, in India the performance of the solar system in the southern regions including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh is not affected adversely. The solar collectors can capture enough heat from sunlight during the winter months also.


What is Solar PV?
Solar ( Photo Voltaic) is a process  which converts sunlight directly into electricity. There are no moving parts, exhausts, noise or pollutants involved in the process and as a result it requires minimal maintenance. A typical solar cell may be of 5-inch diameter wafer, about.01 inches thick. A group of these cells interconnected creates a solar panel. A typical solar panel can produce about 16 volts and 3 amps, or 52 watts, of DC power. Other module specifications are available and such a specifications will very between manufacturers. Solar panels, in turn, can be interconnected in series or parallel to create a solar-array and any voltage-current combination required.

Can I use solar modules?
Yes, solar modules will absorb sunlight in any part of the world. Electrical output of a PV cell is dependent upon the intensity of the light to which it is exposed.

What are Solar PV Applications?
Solar PV  is useful for many applications, particularly in remote areas where grid connection is impractical. Solar PV  has applications such as weather monitoring system, marine navigation aids, solar home lights, solar street light, solar lantern etc. However, over the last few years PV technology has also started to be introduced into urban areas, incorporated into the roofs and facades of homes, offices and factories. A modest sized domestic grid connect system will provide a substantial portion of a households electricity needs. Installations on commercial buildings are particularly suitable for  meeting the daytime demands of an office.

What is lifespan of a PV module?
The average lifetime of most PV modules can be in excess of 20 years, crystalline silicon modules in particular have a very long life span. In addition, they require very little maintenance. Other system components will have a varied lifespan, for example batteries in stand-alone systems can last between 2 and 15 years depending on type. LED Lamp Lights is above 50,000 hrs with 12 hrs per day use it is more than 10 years. These are only rough guides and this should be checked for each specific product.

Why are PV  rated in Wp rather than watts?
Wp means Peak Watts. In other words, a 100Wp panel will produce a maximum of 100W in peak conditions (1kW/m2 solar irradiation).

How much power can I expect to get from my PV?
Typically a 1kWp array produce Four electrical units per day.

Why install a PV system?
There are many reasons to install a PV system. It is the most practical and economically viable option for many applications in remote areas. It is completely pollution free. Installing a small domestic system of around 1.5 kW would provide around 1000 kWh of electricity every year, this would save around half a tonne of CO2 annually. PV can be integrated into the fabric of a building. Electricity can be supplied at the point of use. The system will run silently. There is very little maintenance required for a PV system. After the initial installation costs, there are no further fuel costs. PV systems are modular, and can be added to at any time.