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Sultanate of Oman, among other countries in the Arabian region, is blessed with abundant sunlight. If harnessed, this bountiful resource can provide a virtually unlimited supply of clean, emission-free, sustainable and cost-competitive electricity. Further, with the cost of solar-powered electricity supply coming down every year in the Middle East, more and more people are switching to this renewable energy source, particularly as government subsidies on conventional fossil fuel-based power supply are reduced or withdrawn. Following are some of the tangible benefits accruing to customers adopting solar energy as an alternative to conventional supply:
Financial Savings
Customers can expect lower monthly utility bills immediately upon installation of their solar systems. Depending upon their consumption trends, and other factors, they can also expect to recoup their initial investment within a certain number of years. Solar-powered electricity output, and the resulting financial returns, will however depend on the following factors:- • Monthly electricity consumption
- • Capacity of solar energy system
- • Number of hours of direct sunlight per day
- • Size and angle of roof on which solar system is installed
- • Local electricity tariffs
Premium value addition
By installing a solar module on your rooftop, the overall value of your residential building goes up several notches. After all, a fully functional electricity generating solar module represents a significant value addition to your home. In places where electrical power is not cheap, solar panels can dramatically bring down your monthly electricity bills.Environmental
Financial benefits apart, solar installations also symbolize a commitment to environmental conservation and climate action. With every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated by a solar powered system, a sizable amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with fossil fuel based generation will be curbed. GHG emissions such as CO2 are principally responsible for global warming and climate change. Other dangerous pollutants such as sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter contribute to air pollution levels that may result in respiratory problems and health challenges for people.
All reputable brands of solar panels require little or no maintenance, barring the periodic cleaning of surfaces in order to ensure optimum performance. Depending upon your specific environmental settings and climatic conditions, panel surfaces may need to be cleared of any dust, dried leaves or other debris that may impede direct sunlight from striking the panel – a key requirement for solar electricity generation. If the panels are installed at an angle, then it’s likely that they will be automatically cleaned in the event of a shower. However, in relatively arid regions, such as the Arabian Peninsula where rain showers are few, it becomes necessary to enlist the services of a professional service provider.
Contact us to know more about our AMC contracts on maintenance of PV panels. Please contact +968 97428435
Residential buildings and homes fitted out with solar panels command better rental values primarily because they are generally sought-after by environmentally conscious tenants. Many companies with green credentials encourage their staff to stay at properties that have a lower carbon footprint. In fact, building owners can pitch their solar-powered properties to a premium segment of affluent customers.
Solar panels and their associated fittings are relatively lightweight. Consequently, most rooftops can safely accommodate solar modules without the need for any modifications to the structure. However, it is prudent to carry out an inspection of the structural integrity of the roof before proceeding with the solar installations.
Ground mounted solar installations are popular where there is ample land that is directly open to the sun without any shading from any buildings, billboard, trees and other structures. Ground mounted installations are also advisable if the roof size is not enough to hold the desired number of panels necessary to generate the required amount of electricity. As with rooftop installations, the ground-mounted versions will also be fixed at an angle to ensure optimal performance.
You can choose from four major types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, PERC and thin-film panels. (Contact us for more details on the type of panel that is well-suited to your specific requirements.)
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are designed to generate electricity from direct sunlight and even in diffused light conditions. However, they are most efficient on sunny days when the skies are clear. Electricity generation declines when the skies are cloudy, averaging about 10 to 25% of their normal output when the skies are heavily overcast. On the upside, any rain occurring on cloudy days can help clear the dust accumulating on the solar panels and boost their efficiency.
If you are dependent solely on solar panels for your electricity supply, then you will need to invest in energy storage capacity. However, if you are connected to the local network, then it would be cost-competitive to receive your supply from the local grid, for example, at night when solar output is nil or on days when cloudy conditions impact the system’s performance. Please contact us for more details about energy storage options.
With the introduction of Cost Reflective Tariffs (CRT) for large consumers, along with the simultaneous rollback of electricity subsidies, it has become advisable for owners of commercial buildings and many residential blocks as well to consider solar powered capacity as an alternative. Adding to the appeal of solar power is the rapidly declining cost of solar panels and related fittings. With the introduction of net metering, it will be possible for such owners of solar-equipped buildings to inject any surplus solar-generated electricity back into the local grid – an option that helps in offsetting part of your investment costs.
We have the means to scan the area and features of your rooftop, check for any obstacles that can potentially obstruct sunlight, and then, with the application of the requisite software, ascertain the solar capacity necessary to power your home. Our team of professionals will also visit your premises to understand your energy load before recommending a solar system that best meets your needs.
Our performance warranty is up to 25 years depending up on selection of solar panels for the project.
As an authorised vendor duly approved by the Distribution Code Review Panel (DCRP), OTE Group has the wherewithal to provide a complete solution to meet your requirements. You do not need any battery back-up because your solar system will be connected directly to the meter installed by Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC), or any other local utility provider. You will be charged net of power consumed through the grid and solar system. Thus, any excess power produced by the solar system will be fed directly to the grid, and your utility provider will act as your back-up power supply.
Whether it’s your home, commercial building or residential block that is fitted with solar power, you will stay connected to the local grid regardless. This connection ensures that output from the solar PV system will match that of grid supply to give you uninterrupted and stable electricity supply.
All our customers will be given access to a personalised webpage that gives you details of the system’s performance in real time. Besides helping you keep a tab on the amount of solar electricity produced, the webpage also shares insights on the amount of CO2 that was saved as a result.
Our systems are designed to perform for well over 25 years.