Solar AC systems are gaining popularity across India, including cities like Bareilly, as electricity prices continue to rise. Installing solar panels on your rooftop that power an AC is an effective way to reduce electricity bills while also helping the environment.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about solar AC in Bareilly – the costs, benefits, government incentives, top products to consider, and more. Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, or looking to install solar just for your AC, this article will provide you with all the information required to make an informed decision.

What is Rooftop Solar AC?

Rooftop solar AC refers to using solar photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on the roof of a home or building to generate electricity that powers an air conditioner (AC) unit.

The solar panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity, which charges batteries connected to an inverter. The inverter then converts the DC power stored in batteries into alternating current (AC) that can run the air conditioner.

The main components of a rooftop solar AC system are:

• Solar PV panels
• Battery bank
• Charge controller
• Inverter
• Cables and wiring
• Air conditioner unit

The system harnesses sunlight during the day to charge the batteries. This stored energy powers the AC at night or during grid outages, providing comfortable cooling without relying completely on grid electricity.

Benefits of Rooftop Solar AC in Bareilly

Installing a solar AC system in Bareilly provides numerous benefits, including:

Reduced Electricity Bills: With solar meeting some or all of your AC’s electricity needs, you can dramatically cut monthly electricity bills by 30-60%. The savings add up over the system’s 25+ year lifespan.

Backup Power: Solar AC systems come with battery storage to power the AC at night. This also serves as a backup power source to run the AC during grid power cuts or outages common in Bareilly.

Lower Carbon Footprint: Meeting your cooling needs with solar energy rather than fossil fuel-generated grid electricity reduces your carbon footprint and environmental impact. Every unit of solar power used replaces dirtier grid power.

Improved Air Quality: Widespread use of rooftop solar AC across Bareilly can improve air quality by reducing the burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation. This leads to cleaner, healthier air.

Solar AC Cost in Bareilly

Rooftop solar AC system in Bareilly involve an upfront investment, but the ongoing savings and benefits make them highly economical in the long run. Here is a Solar AC Cost analysis for a 2-ton solar AC system in Bareilly:

The total turnkey cost to install a rooftop solar AC in Bareilly starts from around Rs. 1 lakh and goes up based on the system size and specifications. The breakup of costs is:

• Solar panels: Rs 55,000 per kW (3 kW minimum for 1 ton AC)
• Batteries: Rs 15,000 per kWh (for backup time required)
• Inverter + Charge controller: Rs 35,000 (2 kW minimum)
• Mounting structures, wiring, switches: Rs 15,000
• Installation & misc charges: Rs 20,000
• Total for 2-ton AC with 5 kW system: Approx Rs 1.5 lakhs.

Assuming the solar AC system meets 50% of the 2 ton AC’s annual electricity requirement of 3000 units, it will save around 1500 units of grid electricity every year. At an average rate of Rs 7 per unit, this translates to annual savings of Rs 10,500.

The rooftop solar AC system has a lifespan of over 25 years. Factoring in some efficiency degradation over time, the lifetime savings from lower electricity bills with solar AC can be estimated at Rs 3,00,000.

This results in a payback period of just 7-8 years on the initial investment. And for the remaining 17-18 years, the solar AC provides free cooling from the sun.

So in terms of long term techno-economics, rooftop solar ACs are a smart, profitable investment for homes and businesses in Bareilly. The government also promotes adoption of solar ACs with various incentives.

Government Incentives for Solar AC in Bareilly

The Indian government offers a variety of incentives to promote the adoption of solar power, including for solar air conditioners (ACs). Here’s a breakdown of the key schemes:

Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for Rooftop Solar Systems:

• This scheme provides a subsidy of up to 40% for residential rooftop solar systems up to 3 kW capacity.
• For systems between 3 kW and 10 kW, the subsidy is 30% for the first 3 kW and 20% for the remaining capacity.
• The subsidy amount varies depending on the location and type of system. You can check the specific rates for your region on the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) website: https://mnre.gov.in/

State-level incentives:

• Many states offer additional subsidies and incentives for solar ACs on top of the central government scheme.
• For example, the state of Maharashtra offers a 20% subsidy for solar ACs up to 2 ton capacity.
• You can find information about state-level incentives on the websites of the respective state nodal agencies.

Generation-based incentives:

• Some states offer generation-based incentives (GBIs) for solar power generation.
• Under these schemes, you earn a credit for each unit of electricity you generate from your solar system.
• You can use these credits to offset your electricity bills.

Other incentives:

• Accelerated depreciation: You can claim accelerated depreciation on the cost of your solar AC, which can reduce your taxable income.
• Priority feeder access: In some states, you may get priority access to the electricity grid if you have a solar system.

These incentives bring down the effective cost of solar AC systems. Most incentives are available for both residential and commercial/industrial rooftop solar installations. Homeowners looking to install rooftop solar just for powering their ACs can also benefit from the subsidies, tax rebates and financing schemes.

Businesses in Bareilly can maximize savings by claiming depreciation benefits, subsidies and open access waivers when installing solar to meet their AC load. This makes the payback period even shorter.

Overall, the incentives along with the inherent benefits of solar AC make it highly lucrative for Bareilly households and enterprises to adopt rooftop solar photovoltaic systems powering their air conditioning requirements.

Top Solar AC Brands in Bareilly

Many reputed solar product companies offer rooftop solar AC solutions customized for Indian homes and conditions. Some of the top products and vendors in Bareilly include:

• Su-Kam Solar Grid Tie AC system – Available in 1.5 ton and 2 ton variants compatible with grid-tie inverters. 25 year warranty on solar panels.
• Luminous Solar Powered AC – Comes integrated with a solar panel, inverter, battery and charge controller. Available in 1.5-ton capacity. 10 years warranty on product.
• Microtek Solargrid AC Series – Options for 1 ton, 1.5 ton and 2-ton ACs. The solar PV system is customized as per the roof’s area and AC load.
• Loom Solar AC System – Loom offers smart solar AC integrated units. Their IoT-enabled systems provide real-time monitoring and optimization.

In addition to these, other reputed brands like Tata Solar, Vikram Solar, Waaree Energies also offer reliable solar AC solutions catered for homes and offices in Bareilly. When purchasing a solar AC system, Prefuel energy always check for certified products that come with warranties and support. The solar panel and battery quality will determine the system’s electricity generation and savings over its lifetime.

Installation Process for Solar AC in Bareilly

The installation process for rooftop solar AC systems involves:

• Solar site assessment and load calculation
• Structural feasibility analysis of roof
• System design and component sizing
• Mounting structure fabrication and installation
• Placement of solar panels with proper spacing and tilt angles
• DC cabling from panels to batteries/inverter
• Integration of batteries, charge controller and inverter
• Connecting to the AC unit
• Testing and commissioning

For grid-connected systems, bi-directional metering and net metering applications also need to be completed before system activation.

Operational costs are minimal and include periodic battery replacement every 5 years, panel cleaning and occasional system repairs/maintenance. Overall, rooftop solar ACs make economic sense for most families and businesses in Bareilly.

Conclusion

Rooftop solar AC systems are a smart, efficient cooling solution that can help Bareilly residents and enterprises reduce electricity costs and dependence on the grid. While the initial investment is higher than a regular AC, the long-term savings from lower electricity bills and government incentives make solar ACs financially viable with a short payback period.

Businesses can further accelerate payback by claiming tax benefits on their solar AC assets. With Bareilly’s abundant sunlight and rising temperatures, rooftop solar photovoltaic systems are an ideal way to meet air conditioning needs in an eco-friendly and cost-effective manner.