500kW Solar Power Plant in India: Benefits, Cost, and Energy Generation

In recent years, many private and government organizations in India have started sourcing a portion of their electricity needs through solar energy. Companies such as Maruti Suzuki, Amazon India, Oberoi group, ONGC, Coal India Ltd., etc. are some recent examples.

Since the energy needs of such businesses are massive, they go for solar energy systems with a high capacity as well. In this way, 500kW is the average capacity used in the commercial and industrial segments.

Before discussing the specifics of a 500kW system, let’s understand why businesses should go solar.

1. Cost Saving– Solar power systems are fixed-cost assets that can help businesses reduce their monthly electricity bills and act as buffers against tariff hikes.

2. No Maintenance– Solar power systems hardly require any maintenance apart from regular cleaning sessions.

3. Durable– The average lifespan of solar power systems is between 25 and 30 years which means they will help consumers save for a long time.

4. Improve Brand Image– Consumers are increasingly gravitating towards brands with a good sustainable portfolio. Generating clean energy will help a business build community goodwill with a greener reputation.

5. Lower Carbon Footprint– Thermal-based energy is not only expensive but also incredibly harmful to the environment. Solar is a locally available, clean energy resource that will allow a business to reduce its power-based carbon emissions.

The cost of your solar energy system will depend on many factors such as the type, brand, quality, and power rating of the equipment along with plant location and roof orientation. It will also depend on the kind of system you choose.

For example, a grid tie system that works in conjunction with the utility grid requires fewer equipment and accessories. An off-grid system on the other hand is independent of the utility grid and requires a battery backup, which adds to the overall cost.

But the average cost would be around ₹45-50/watt. The estimated cost of a 500kW system would be around ₹2.25 crores (Please note that this figure will vary as per plant location and installation type).

In ideal conditions, a 1kW system will generate around 4 units daily.
Thus, a 500Kw system in perfect situations can generate at least 500*4= 2000 units in a day and 60000 units in a month. However, these are ideal figures. The actual generation can be much higher or much lower than these figures.

For example, in sunny seasons, a plant might generate up to 5 units in a day. But in cloudy winter weather, the generation can fall to a single unit as well.
Other factors such as the quality of panels, roof orientation, location, maintenance, shadows, etc. can also affect generation.

1Kw rooftop solar system requires a shadow-free space of 100-130sq.ft. By this calculation, a 500kW system requires at least a roof space of 50,000 sq. ft. However, these numbers are not fixed. A ground-mounted solar system on the other hand needs an area of 2.5 acres or over 1,05,000 sq. ft.

But these numbers can be brought down significantly through innovative solar solutions like an integrated solar roof like Ornate InRoof. The structure incorporates solar panels into the roof itself and accommodates 26% more modules.

Here’s a report on our recent solar InRoof installation for the production facility of the stone manufacturer, Pangaea Natural Stone.

For their new production facility in Bhagru, Rajasthan, Canada-based stone manufacturer- Pangaea Natural Stone, installed an Ornate InRoof structure. The solar InRoof provides better area utilization and is more sustainable as it eliminates the need for sheet roofing.

Plant Size: 530kW
Roof Area: 35,000 sq. ft.
(1kW installation in 65-66 sq. Ft)

“Our 35,000 ft². rooftop solar power plant powers our 90,000 sqft production facility. Ornate Solar has added a tremendous amount of value with their patented rooftop structure. Solar rooftops installed in any other manner seems antiquated now”

-Mr. Sanjay Nikhanj, CEO, Pangaea Natural Stones.

Ornate Solar is one of the leading solar companies in India. We have partnered with the best-in-class global solar brands to provide you with a trustable, affordable, and reliable range of solar panels, inverters, and solar accessories.

We have also launched India’s first integrated Solar Roof, Ornate InRoof.
If you are looking for a traditional or InRoof solar solution for your business, reach out to discuss your options and get a quote. For more information, give us a call at 011 4353 6666.