[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The rising global warming and climate change concerns encouraged world economies to probe into renewable energy sources. Due to the abundance and availability of solar irradiation, solar energy technology is being extensively researched and widely adopted. Hence, the Solar Panel System market has boomed since its creation in the middle of the 20th century because of its efficient and environmentally friendly method of generating electricity.

What are PV panels?

Photovoltaic (PV) panels, more commonly referred to as solar panels, utilize the sun’s energy and turn it into electricity. This article will go through different types of PV panels and systems and their performance.

Solar PV System Types

Let’s first talk about the different solar energy systems before moving on to the various PV solar panel types.

There are three main kinds of solar PV systems:

• On-Grid Systems
• Off-Grid Systems
• Hybrid Systems

On-Grid Solar System

The On-Grid solar system is connected to the utility grid via a power inverter device which allows the solar system to function in parallel with the electric grid.

Off-Grid Solar System:

The Off-Grid solar system is not connected to the utility grid. These systems require a battery storage system in order to store the extra energy generated throughout the day to be used later when solar energy generation decreases or ceases.

Hybrid Solar System: 

The Hybrid solar system is connected to the utility grid while also having a battery storage system in order to store the extra energy generated. Hybrid solar systems provide great coverage against both irregular solar energy production and unannounced power outages.

TYPES OF PV PANELS

PV solar panels come in a variety of technology types. Monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film are some of these varieties.

Monocrystalline

It is recognized as mono because single-crystal silicon permits electrons to make electricity. The thickness of these wafers ranges between 200 and 400 μm. The cells are divided into a single silicon source resulting in monocrystalline modules that are the most effective of the several modules. Such modules have powerful output and an efficiency of about 20%. The benefits of such modules include taking up the least amount of space and long-lasting quality.

Polycrystalline 

The word “polycrystalline” means “many,” which implies that a polycrystalline panel is constructed from several blended silicon bits. A polycrystalline solar panel is constructed from melted silicon wafers with thicknesses ranging from 200 to 400 μm. A polycrystalline module can be used for more than 25 years without failure. Polycrystalline modules are in high demand because they offer the highest performance. 

Thin-film 

Different types of materials are used to do thin-film modules. Instead of solid silicon wafers, they are made of non-crystalline silicon placed on top of glass, plastic, or metal. Thin Film modules are the best choice for fewer power tasks because they are inexpensive, lightweight, and portable. These sorts of PV panels are employed in commercial and industrial projects where space is limited.

Solar BOOT Model: 

Now Customize the Solar Energy System as per your business requirements

The BOOT Model is a project delivery strategy in which Shams Power offers a Photovoltaic (PV) based electricity generating system by delivering end-to-end services in which we build, own, run, and transfer the solar power system under PPA.

This methodology eliminates all CAPEX, OPEX and system performance risks at the user’s end.

As we provide our clients with a full range of services, including Financing, Design, Procurement, Construction, Installation, Operations, and Maintenance of solar power plants. Our build-own-operate-transfer method, created specifically for large commercial and industrial sectors, enables significant savings on electricity bills while also achieving sustainability goals.

Conclusion

After discussing the various solar PV system types, we can now see why Solar Energy is a preferred renewable energy option. Solar panels may generate energy without needing any raw materials because irradiation from the sun is abundant. Solar photovoltaic panels can produce electricity anywhere there is sunlight. They are low maintenance, simple to install, and versatile. Hence, Solar Energy System on solar PPA is a wise investment for a better and cleaner future.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Solar Industry has experienced exponential innovation in technology over the past ten years. With every solar advancement, energy generation has become more efficient and the cost of solar systems has fallen making solar adoption more feasible.

If a firm intends to install a solar power plant on its premises, it is essential to check for the solar system’s energy efficiency. It is prudent for a user to enquire about the factors that affect solar energy efficiency in order to make an informed decision. Moreover, a solar system’s efficiency varies, and depends on several factors.

Factors Affecting Solar Energy Production

Variations in Degrees/Celsius around the country

Many people believe that intense heat results in more excellent power production. However, do you know that the solar system’s efficiency falls by around 0.25% for every degree over 25°C? The solar cells’ maximum generation capacity is dramatically reduced due to the dropping of voltage between the solar cells caused by contact with intense heat. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for locations that will not cause any damage due to extreme heated temperatures.

Shade on the Solar Panels 

There could be a significant power loss if the solar panels are covered in the shade. Solar cells are interconnected in a series (inside or across panels). As a result, the shaded cells stop the current from passing through the complete chain of linked cells. Therefore, solar energy firms in Pakistan advise businesses to avoid putting solar panels in locations where there will be significant shade most of the day.

Angle Alignment

Solar panels must be positioned and slanted to receive abundant direct sunlight throughout the day. Since this cannot be done manually, it is ideal to take the help of experts who can position these solar panels under the direction of the sun from morning to evening. Engineers, therefore, install a solar system under the sun’s direction using yield and shadow analyses.

Solar System Maintenance 

The solar system’s effectiveness is also affected by pollution, precipitation, dust, and sandstorms. Regular cleaning ensures that the solar panel surface is free of debris and produces electricity efficiently.

Hence, monthly cleaning and maintenance are required to generate a high volume of energy units. In the PPA agreement, the energy provider is in charge of cleaning and maintaining the solar system, while the buyer is not liable for any maintenance expenses.

Geographical Positioning

The local climate and amount of daylight vary from location to location in Pakistan. It significantly impacts solar insolation (the frequency of solar power coming every cm2/min). Hence, it is essential to consider the level of solar irradiance on the land if a company intends to buy a solar system for running its business operations.

Effects Of Bad Weather 

Energy suppliers in Pakistan have offered high-quality solar systems to ensure safety from heavy rains, storms, and other weather conditions for more than 25 years. The outer layer of glass prevents solar panel surface heating while allowing raindrops and storm dust to slide off the panels easily.

Are you looking for an experienced and reliable solar energy provider in Pakistan?

Shams Power has installed customized solar power projects over the years, supporting commercial and industrial businesses to install solar systems on their rooftops, grounds, and parking area. We assist companies in achieving a quick and successful transition to clean energy.

Contact us now and get the best solar recommendations from the industry’s experts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Today, a myriad of big and small enterprises in Pakistan are using commercial solar power systems. This helps them full fill sustainability goals and lowers their electricity costs. As a result, corporates can save their electricity bills and increase their energy independence.

However, if the CEO of your business is still unsure about switching to solar power, don’t worry;

We have several strategies and guidelines to convince your CEO to opt for a solar solution.

Speak Figures

The continuously rising cost of electricity is one of the major concerns all types of companies are facing these days. The worst aspect is that the standard grid energy given by your state’s Disco is insufficient and expensive.

The commercial and Industrial sectors in Pakistan pay highly taxed tariffs and still experience energy shortages that eventually lead to either productivity loss or high investment costs to enable grid energy alternatives. Hence, converting to solar energy can help them save on their electricity bills and future hikes.

The upfront costs required for buying and installing solar plants are now substantially cheaper than they were a few years ago. This is a result of the tremendous advancements in technology. However, if you don’t want to invest a single rupee, Solar PPA is a very feasible model for your organization.

C&I sector in Pakistan is now able to get solar energy without incurring any installation investment or maintenance expenditures, thanks to the introduction of solar PPA. Connect with solar specialists like Shams Power to calculate the energy savings that your company could receive by shifting to solar without any investment. Have these figures on hand because most CEOs are prepared to switch once they understand the financial benefits of solar power systems.

Decrease your carbon emissions to increase sustainability

According to a Nielsen survey, globally customers are prepared to spend more for products from firms that are sustainable. The research discovered that 73% of youth and 66% of customers from older generations are willing to pay more for sustainable brands.

Utilizing solar not only has a significant environmental impact but also has a positive impact on your financial line. Solar energy is environmentally friendly and provides electricity that significantly lowers your company’s carbon impact. Since no chemicals or greenhouse gases are discharged into the atmosphere, it has no adverse environmental effects.

You can publicize it on your social media accounts and bring it to your customers’ attention. Your consumers will be informed that your business uses solar plants and that you are contributing to a better future for the environment. Your brand will gain more respect from the general public and customers.

The desire of every CEO for their company is to have a good reputation with clients, and for this reason, you should persuade them to switch.

Become a Leader in Climate Change

Today many large corporations have become climate leaders for a sustainable tomorrow. According to the SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association). Analysis, some of the largest companies, like Walmart, IKEA, Apple, and Costco, are the most significant solar energy users.

Locally, hundreds of large and small businesses have emerged as leaders in the fight against climate change with the help of solar power purchase agreements. Shams Power has empowered industry-leading corporates to opt for solar energy some of our clients include METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan, Packages Mall, Maxim Agri Pvt Ltd, Nishat Hyundai, Emporium Mall, AkzoNobel Pakistan, and many more

Observe Regulations

Businesses must abide by several environmental laws, including renewable energy and greener solutions. Your company’s decision to go solar demonstrates your dedication to society which will also aid in improving your company’s standing with regulatory bodies.

The Paris Climate Agreement’s goal is to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. Pakistan must also become a leader in the use of renewable energy. Going solar is a priority for the government more than ever.

Initiatives by Government

The state bank of Pakistan recently declared that it would extend the financing scheme for alternative energy for two or more years, ending on June 30, 2024. 

As a result, many businesses are now encouraged to look into solar financing without fear of financial difficulties.

Check if it applies to your business and pitch this to your CEO.

Learn about solar installations that can be done without any investment. Check if it relates to your company, then present it to your CEO.

A Brief Summary

There are several advantages to switching to clean solar energy for businesses. Large businesses throughout all sectors can benefit from solar by lowering operational costs, building their brand’s reputation, and gaining a competitive edge.

Don’t forget to add that by installing solar power, your company is contributing to creating a planet that will benefit future generations. With this, you will demonstrate your dedication to the environment and society by leaving a legacy.

Acquire support from your CEO by emphasizing these factors, and when he/she gets ready set up a meeting with us to get an ideal solution without any hassle.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Solar power is one of the most prominent and widely used renewable energy sources. With robust initiatives and sufficient investment, solar energy has the potential to drastically reduce the world’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Making Pakistan an environment-friendly and carbon-clean country

Solar power is a clean energy source with zero to minimal carbon footprint, it reduces harmful elements in the environment and helps in environmental sustainability. A Solar Energy System is a reliable secondary energy source that can satisfy an organization’s energy needs while also fulling its sustainability goals. As sunlight is free and abundant, solar energy systems can energize even the most remote parts of the world at relatively low operating costs.

Solar Energy for Commercial and Industrial Sector

The manufacturing and commercial organizations want to use solar energy but might feel perplexed about how to best use the available space. However, solar plants can be installed as rooftops, carports, and ground-mounted solar structures.

Thus, they are space-efficient and mechanically inert. In addition to that, the solar power plant is generally referred to as the most reliable alternative for users due to its 25-year warranty policy.

You can now enjoy the following benefits of adding solar power to your organization.

Alternative energy source

The fact that solar energy is a Carbon-free solution is the most significant advantage among its many other advantages. It is accessible every day and useable everywhere in the world. Unlike other sources that are being exploited excessively, solar energy can never run out. As long as the sun exists, solar energy will be easily accessible to everyone.

Offers the security of energy supply on the premises

Adoption of solar energy also increases the energy independence of the organizations. For this reason, governments are encouraging organizations to implement renewable sources like solar energy for their operational use. Regarding this, the state bank of Pakistan recently declared that it would extend the financing scheme for alternative energy for two or more years, ending on June 30, 2024. Thus, many companies are now encouraged to opt for solar financing without worrying about financial problems.

Reduce carbon emission

It is well known that carbon dioxide contributes to global warming, which is melting glaciers, threatening the survival of species, and worsening habitats. However, with solar energy, we can reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Cost Efficient Maintenance 

Solar Power plants require regular maintenance and the whole process is very delicate so must be handled by experts. However; the solar system’s maintenance is still less complex when compared to the maintenance needs of other energy sources.

 Multiple uses 

Solar Power Systems operate independently and can be set up even in the most remote areas. It may be used to extract water in areas with low water supplies, produce electricity in remote areas, and run manufacturing factories, commercial buildings, and even spaceships.

Reduce electricity cost and boost savings

Ever-increasing fossil fuel prices have led to rising in electricity bills while rapid development in solar technology has reduced costs and increased energy yield efficiency. Thus, energy bills will surely go down as the solar energy system will fulfill several energy requirements.

Solar Energy better for the Climate 

As the effect of climate change worsens, the developing nation will face different energy challenges due to their needs.

Hence, a convention called Paris Agreement was held that permitted countries to establish their objectives for lower carbon emissions. 196 nations committed to boosting their clean energy usage in 2015. Under this agreement, they are dealing the environmental and economic trade-offs with renewable energy sources.

In this regard, Pakistan has taken action to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Pakistan also participated in COP26, the 26th conference of the parties, to debate important issues like climate change and its economic effects.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Shams Power Limited, Pakistan’s leading solar energy developer and investor, has successfully closed a PKR 2 billion financing facility from Bank Alfalah with a partial credit guarantee covering 75 percent of the facility from GuarantCo, part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG). This financing will support Shams Power for the construction of approximately 21 MW rooftop and ground-mounted solar plants at commercial, industrial, and institutional (e.g., university, hospital) sites across Pakistan to reach grid-connected users.

 

Bank Alfalah will provide Sham Power with the financing in the form of a 10-year term loan totalling PKR 2 billion that benefits from the Renewable Energy Refinancing Scheme set up by the State Bank of Pakistan. Shams Power and GuarantCo have also agreed on an additional partnership worth PKR 1.5 billion to support Shams Power’s further debt raising in 2022 to construct approximately another 21 MW of distributed solar plants.

 

The projects will improve the efficiency of Pakistan’s energy sector by generating clean energy near the point of consumption, which will reduce line losses and losses associated with the national grid and will stabilize the grid during peak hours. Shams Power helps reduce carbon emissions and positively impacts climate change mitigation by providing clean solar energy.

 

The deal could transform Pakistan’s rooftop solar market by demonstrating rooftop solar suppliers’ ability to access local debt financing. The transaction also builds the capacity of energy regulators and the SBP, allowing them to create a supportive and pragmatic regulatory and financial framework, and builds the capacity of new banks in this asset class. Shams Power also plans to continue training and hiring female engineers as the company grows.Shams Power aims to solarise Pakistan’s Commercial & Industrial sectors and offer a Build Operate Own and Transfer (BOOT) model to commercial, industrial and institutional customers.

 

Shams Power’s business model is to build and operate solar power systems at commercial, industrial, and institutional sites, serving the local private sector, including SMEs, through complete solutions under long-term (12-25 years) PPA or equipment sales deferred basis agreements. Being the pioneer in Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) based clean energy generation and BOOT model in Pakistan, Shams Power seeked growth opportunities to scale and successfully partnered with Bank Alfalah and GuarantCo as the expansion facilitators.

 

Business and institutional users will benefit from lower electricity costs through the rooftop systems installed without incurring any upfront capital expenditure. The proposed solution also increases users’ electricity reliability and reduces their reliance on backup diesel generators. Given climate considerations and business continuity reasons, Shams Power’s solution represents an efficient alternative to existing solutions. In addition, the transaction will lead to long-term job creation in the project value chain. It is expected that there will be over 60 local permanent jobs created by Shams Power.

 

Signing ceremony attended by: Saad ur Rahman Khan, Group Head, Corporate, Investment Banking, and International Business Group Bank Alfalah (left); Atif Bajwa, CEO Bank Alfalah (middle); Omar Malik, CEO Shams Power (right); Asif Elahi, Partner Capital Resource and Emily Bushby, Interim CEO GuarantCo (virtual)

 

Omar Malik, CEO of Shams Power, said: “We are delighted to have successfully completed this landmark transaction. This will enable Shams Power to expand our portfolio of high-quality projects across the C&I sector and extend our renewable energy footprint. These projects will enable our clients to reduce their carbon emissions, meet sustainability targets, and reduce costs of production. They will also generate employment during construction. GuarantCo’s credit guarantee and Bank Alfalah’s tremendous support were critical in making this possible.”

 

Emily Bushby, Interim CEO of GuarantCo, said: “The innovative financing mechanism for this transaction has the potential to drive significant growth in the rooftop solar market in Pakistan. The model is scalable, replicable and the need for guarantee support will hopefully reduce over time. This transaction supports Pakistan’s commitments to decarbonise its power sector and to meet GuarantCo’s mission of mobilising new sources of local currency financing. Through our transaction with Shams Power, we will support Pakistan in its ambition to provide economical, clean and consistent energy supply to businesses and gradually shift towards renewable energy supply and improve energy access, involving the private sector and local currency financing.”

 

Atif Bajwa, CEO of Bank Alfalah, said: “While Bank Alfalah is at the forefront of facilitating our clients’ energy needs, this is a first of its kind distributed solar model of such magnitude for the Bank. Successful execution of this model will not only set up a framework for future distributed solar projects to follow, but will also pave way for numerous businesses to achieve significant energy savings with minimal capital expenditure. In line with Bank Alfalah’s Green Banking policy, Bank Alfalah remains committed towards renewable energy financing and is proud to play its part in reducing carbon footprint across Pakistan and combating climate change. We would also like to applaud State Bank of Pakistan’s Financing Scheme for Renewable Energy which is encouraging investments and taking us a step closer to achieving the government’s clean energy vision.

 

Asif Elahi, Partner of Capital Resource, said “We are thrilled to have had the opportunity of supporting Shams Power in achieving their financing objectives. There has been exponential growth in roof top solar power in regional countries with us lagging behind. The credit enhancement and financing support from GuarantCo and Bank Alfalah teams will go a long way in helping bridge this gap allowing Shams Power to become the leading distributed solar company in Pakistan.”

 

Press Contacts

Shams Power Limited Irteza Ubaid Head of Business Development +92 341 7426777 irteza.ubaid@shams-power.com

Shams Power Limited Salman Khan Business Analyst +92 345 7037678 salman.khan@shams-power.com