'Double benefits' from installing rooftop solar power

GREAT POTENTIAL

Nghe An is the province with the largest area in the country. Based on the survey documents on solar radiation and the map of Vietnam's solar energy potential organized by the Vietnam Energy Agency and the Spanish Development Cooperation Agency (AECID), Nghe An province is located in an area with great solar energy potential, with an average solar radiation of about 4.73kWh/m²/day. The northern provinces (from Thua Thien Hue and beyond) have an average of 1,800 - 2,100 hours of sunshine per year. Of which, the Northwest regions (Lai Chau, Son La, Lao Cai) and the North Central regions (Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh) are considered to have the most sunshine.
In recent years, energy consumption has increased significantly, the energy consumption structure has shifted towards industrialization, due to good management and propaganda work,energy savingand efficiency are increasingly concerned. However, the energy sector of our country in general and in Nghe An province in particular still has many limitations; domestic supply sources are not enough to meet demand, energy imports are increasingly large; many power projects are behind schedule and plans; some energy security indicators are fluctuating in an unfavorable direction.

Solar panels on the roof of a business headquarters in Vinh city. Photo: Thu Huyen

The management and exploitation of energy resources still have some limitations. The efficiency of energy exploitation and use is still low. The infrastructure of the energy sector is still lacking and not synchronized, the energy price policy is still inadequate, not completely consistent with the market mechanism, not separate from social security policy. In particular, environmental protection in the energy sector has not received due attention in some places and at some times, causing social outrage.

Therefore, choosing solar energy in the current period is a clean, environmentally friendly energy source; helps reduce dependence on fossil energy sources (oil, coal, etc.), reducing monthly electricity costs. The system also does not incur other monthly costs and rarely requires maintenance. Thanks to that, electricity usage is always stable and economical.

NEED TO CONSIDER BUILDING A PILOT MODEL

Rooftop solar power installation. Photo: Thu Huyen

Implementing the Government's renewable energy development strategy, aiming to save fossil energy and contribute to environmental protection, ensuring a minimum saving of 5.0% of total electricity consumption in the year, the Department of Industry and Trade is submitting to the province a proposal to develop a project "Installing a pilot model of rooftop solar power systems for agencies and offices". The goal is to contribute to the goal of having about 100,000 rooftop solar power systems (or equivalent to 1,000Mwp) installed and operated by the end of 2025.

On that basis, the Department of Industry and Trade also surveyed locations and plans for installing pilot models at a number of units, developed plans for supplying solar power, and calculated the amount of solar power.electricity productionand plans to build a pilot solar power model.

According to the calculation, the input and output costs, the break-even time of the system is after 4 years. All economic and financial indicators of the projects are evaluated to be effective, so the project implementation is appropriate. For the operation and maintenance of the solar power model, a relatively important issue in the effective use of solar panels is the cleaning and cleaning of the panels.

Mr. Mai Anh Tuan - Deputy Director of Energy Conservation Center, Department of Industry and Trade

Rooftop solar panels are being installed and used by many government agencies. Photo: Thu Huyen

Nghe An is located in a humid tropical monsoon area, rain occurs very often, especially in the spring months, there is often drizzle, small amounts of rain and often brings dust from the air to the surface of the battery, although the surface of the battery is covered with anti-dust layers, but in drizzles like this, dust sticking to the panels is inevitable, dust sticking to the glass layers causes the outer glass layer to become blurred and this reduces the capacity of the solar panel system. In drizzly weather, it is best to clean the battery system every 2-3 months. From June to October, although the weather is rainy, the amount of rain is large and often showers, so the battery system will not be as dusty as in spring. With this weather, the time between cleaning the panels can be longer, usually every 3-4 months.

The best cleaning solution should be a specialized Solar Cleaning solution, because it will clean better and will not create surface adhesion on the solar panels later. In case there is no specialized cleaning solution, we can use diluted soap and water to clean the solar panels. Mix a diluted soap solution and water, then use a rag or broom to clean the solar panels. This method is simple and effective for small solar stations with a capacity of about 20kWp. With a relatively large array of panels, a high-power water jet can be used to clean the panels.

Many families have used rooftop solar panels to save energy and be environmentally friendly. Photo: Thu Huyen

With its geographical location and climate, Nghe An can exploit solar power effectively throughout the year. Especially from April to October. Applying grid-connected solar power stations can help save monthly electricity bills, reduce roof heat, and reduce CO2 emissions into the environment, while also generating high profits. Currently, the Department of Industry and Trade is submitting to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and approval to be able to develop a project to deploy the construction of rooftop solar power systems for public offices to reduce electricity costs and contribute to reducing environmental pollution.

Rooftop solar power installation is a real need, bringingdouble benefit, and the reality that has happened in recent times shows that the installation of solar power on rooftops has not stopped at self-sufficiency but has become an investment, production and business activity. Therefore, there needs to be clear guidance from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as well as timely policies from the province, relevant departments and branches.

Thu Huyen