SELCO 50W Module

Product Description

SELCO, or the Solar Electric Light Company located throughout India offers a series of solar home systems in which is included the 50 W system. The systems are custom designed to provide lightning and power household electrical appliances.

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Selco.

Manufacturing/Building Method

All components are mass produced but the systems are individually installed.

Intellectural Property Type

Other

User Provision Model

SELCO energy services are provided to end users by their Energy Service Centers (ESC), which are located in small to mid-sized provincial towns throught India.

Distributions to Date Status

Exact number unknown but SELCO as of 2018 has reached 450,000 clients. These clients have bought at least one of SELCO's solar solutions.

Description of power outputs

Unknown

Description of light points

Total lighting service (lumen-hours per solar-day)

3 – 4

Peak power rating (Wp)

Battery capacity (kWh; mAh)

80,000

Nominal battery voltage (V)

Battery type

Lead Acid Battery

User replaceable battery (yes/no)

Yes

Remote system diagnostics (yes/no)

Unknown

Payment structure

Unknown

Mobile service required (yes/no)

Unknown

Design Specifications

The SELCO solar home system is composed of:

50 W Solar panel, weather resistant with high-efficiency monocrystalline/polycrystalline cells
80 Ah Battery, low-maintenance deep-discharge, tubular plate with hard rubber/polypropylene container
3 - Compact Fluorescent Lights (5/7/11 watts)
1 Fan

Technical Support

Provided by the Energy Service Centers (ESC) in Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu. User training is provided via the installing technician, who provides information on how to do basic maintenance, interpret the charge controller, top up with distilled water, battery support, operation of fuses, etc.

Replacement Components

Replacement components are available through service technicians working out of the 45 service centers in Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu.

Lifecycle

Lifespan and warranties:

Solar Panel: estimated life between 15-20 years with a warranty of 8 years
Battery: estimated life between 6-8 years with a warranty of 3 years

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Unknown.

Vetted Performance Status

Performance vetted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the MNRE document outlines some overall PV System requirements.

Safety

Improper knowledge of operation of charge controller could lead to damage or electrical fires. Possibility of exposure to battery acid if maintenance is not conducted properly must be take in consideration.

Complementary Technical Systems

None.

Academic Research and References

Majority of research focuses on the financing and business model SELCO uses to distribute its product, or is a general review of the home solar system market landscape in India. No research found regarding system performance.

Brine, D.C., Social enterprise as a rights-based approach to development : a comparative study of two organizations, Cambridge (MA): Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 2010 [cited 2015 Jun 22].

Jue, D.M., From the lab to the land: social impact technology dissemination in rural southern India, Cambridge (MA): Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 2012 Jun [cited 2015 Jun 22].

Chaurey, A., Kandpal, T.C., Assessment and evaluation of PV based decentralized rural electrification: an overview. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2010 Oct;14(8):2266-2278.

Shrimali, G., Rohar, S., India’s solar mission: a review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2012 Oct;16(8):6317-6332.

Bhargava, B., Overview of photovoltaic technologies in India. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. 2001 Mar;67(1-4):639-646.

Compliance with regulations

Meets MNRE (Indian government ministry) standards. ^Interview ^with ^{representative}

Other Information

SELCO also offers other products like solar inverter systems, solar water heaters and DC home appliances.