Solar Module

In India, March to May generally delivers the highest solar power generation, with April often emerging as the peak month for many regions. This is because these months combine very high solar irradiance, clear skies and longer sunshine hours before the arrival of the monsoon season. Northern, western and central Indian states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh especially witness strong solar output during this period. However, in some extremely hot regions, excessive panel temperatures during peak summer can slightly reduce efficiency despite abundant sunlight. Solar generation usually drops during June to September due to cloud cover and rainfall during the monsoon season.

Yes, hybrid rooftop solar systems are generally more expensive than normal GTI (Grid-Tied Inverter) based systems because they are designed to do more than just feed solar power into the grid. A standard GTI system mainly converts solar DC power into AC and synchronises it with the grid, making it relatively simple and cheaper. In contrast, a hybrid system can manage solar generation, battery storage, grid supply and backup loads simultaneously. This requires a more advanced inverter, additional battery bank, battery management system (BMS), protection equipment and often smarter energy management software. Batteries themselves are a major cost component, especially lithium-ion batteries, which significantly increase the project cost. Hybrid systems also involve more complex installation and wiring. However, they provide backup during power cuts, better energy independence and the ability to store excess solar power for evening use, which a normal GTI system cannot do.

G12R-based modules are solar panels built using G12R (210R) size silicon wafers, a newer rectangular wafer format developed to improve module efficiency and manufacturing economics. In comparison, M10 modules use 182 mm square wafers, which have been widely used in the solar industry over the past few years.

The key difference lies in wafer size and shape: G12R wafers are slightly larger and rectangular, allowing manufacturers to design modules with higher power output while maintaining manageable module dimensions for installation and transport. Because of this design, G12R modules can deliver higher wattage, better cell packing density, and improved production efficiency, while also helping reduce costs by lowering material usage and improving line utilization.

These advantages are why many manufacturers see G12R as a next-generation mainstream format, especially as the industry moves toward high-efficiency N-type TOPCon technologies.

In India, solar manufacturers mainly use three types of encapsulants: EVA, POE, and newer TPO or hybrid co-extruded materials. EVA is the industry workhorse because it is affordable and offers good clarity, but it can yellow over time and is more vulnerable to moisture and PID, especially in hot and humid regions. POE has become popular for advanced modules like TOPCon and HJT since it provides stronger protection against moisture and PID, along with better long-term reliability, though it costs more and takes longer to laminate. Newer TPO and hybrid films try to offer the best of both worlds, combining EVA’s ease of processing with POE’s durability, but they are still developing and sometimes face supply or consistency issues. Overall, all these encapsulants serve the essential job of shielding solar cells from weather, UV light, and electrical stress, with manufacturers choosing based on climate needs, technology type, and cost-performance balance.

Currently, in India, two types of modules are used in solar projects: DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) modules and non-DCR modules. As per government mandates, most government-backed projects are required to use DCR modules.

DCR modules are those manufactured using solar cells produced domestically. This means that any solar module made using solar cells manufactured within India qualifies as a DCR module.