Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd.
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ನವೀಕರಿಸಬಹುದಾದ ಇಂಧನ ಅಭಿವೃಧ್ಧಿ ನಿಯಮಿತ
(A Government of Karnataka undertaking)
Hon'ble Chief Minister, Karnataka Govt

                                                     Solar Grid
Solar panels capture energy from sunlight and generate electricity using the photovoltaic effect. Each solar panel is made up of many solar cells (typically 60) that each generates a small amount of electricity.
Photons(Quantum of light) hit the solar panel and are absorbed by the silicon.
Electrons within the silicon are knocked loose by this and are free to move.
The electrons are captured in an electric field and picked up by metal contacts.
This generates a current, a flow of electricity which you can use.
The solar cells are joined together in a module (or panel) to increase the electrical power, and the modules connected to form an array. The electricity produced can be used straight from the panels in some cases, but an inverter is usually used to change the electricity from the direct current produced to alternating current that your house uses. For protection, the front of a solar panel is covered in clear glass and the back with a plastic film. An aluminium frame is added to hold the individual cells in place and to enable easy mounting of the panels.

How a grid connected solar power system works:

While the technology behind solar power may seem complex, when broken down, grid connect is easy to understand as it only requires a few components installed in your home or business.

          The sun shines on the solar panels generating DC electricity
          The DC electricity is fed into a solar inverter that converts it to 240V 50Hz AC electricity.
          The 240V AC electricity is used to power appliances in your home.
          Surplus electricity is fed back into the main grid.

Whenever the sun shines, the solar cells generate electricity. The grid connected inverter converts the DC electricity produced by the solar panels into 240V AC electricity, which can then be used by the property/household.

If a grid connect system is producing more power than is being consumed, the surplus is fed into the mains power grid. Some electricity companies will meter the electricity fed into the grid by your system and provide a credit on your bill. Other companies will install a bi-directional meter which will run backwards as your system feeds electricity into the grid. When the solar cells are not producing power, for example at night, power is supplied by the mains power grid as usual. The energy retailer charges the usual rate for the power used.

Two Types of Technology used:

Solar PV: Solar Photovoltaic (PV) is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic power generation employs solar panels composed of a number of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material. Materials presently used for photovoltaic include mono crystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide/sulfide. Due to the increase demand for renewable energy sources, the manufacturing of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has advanced considerably in recent years.

Solar thermal energy: STE is a technology for harnessing solar energy from thermal energy (heat). Solar thermal collectors are classified as low, medium, or high temperature collectors. Low temperature collectors are flat plates generally used to heat swimming pools. Medium temperature collectors are also usually flat plates but are used for heating water or air for residential and commercial use. High temperature collectors concentrate sunlight using mirrors or lenses and are generally used for electric power production. STE is different from and much more efficient than photovoltaic, which converts solar energy directly into electricity.

Types of Project Categories:

            Projects by Government Entities
            Projects under REC
            Projects under Solar RPO
            Projects under Bundled Category
            R&D / Innovative Projects

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         Contact Details
Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd.
Phone:080- 22207851/ 22208109