Pakistan is facing one of its most challenging energy crises in recent years.
Rising electricity bills, frequent load shedding and an unreliable power grid have
pushed Pakistan towards solar energy. As a result, Solar energy has emerged as
a practical solution, leading to a rapid increase in the demand for solar systems.
The most commonly used are On Grid, Off Grid and Hybrid System.
An On Grid system is directly connected to the Grid and does not require
batteries for backup. Electricity is generated during daylight hours, solar panels
absorb sunlight and produce direct current (DC). Inverter converts the DC (Direct
Current) into AC (Alternating Current). The excess Power generated during the
day time is stored in the grid and is used at night. It causes significant reduction
in bills. It has lower Installation cost as compared to other systems. In addition, it
is environment friendly because there is no greenhouse emission and requires
minimal maintenance. Consequently, it is widely used in the Commercial,
Industrial and Residential sector. Despite these features, it does not function
during power outages. Since the system relies entirely on grid availability, it
becomes unsuitable for remote or far-flung areas where power supply is either
inconsistent or completely unavailable.
In contrast, The Off grid System operates independently of grid. It is suitable for
remote areas or places with unreliable grid connections. It uses batteries to store
electricity for night time usage and cloudy days. Solar panels generate electricity
which is stored in batteries. That’s why the inverter supplies continuous power
and there is uninterrupted power supply even during outages. It has zero carbon
footprint and is eco friendly. Its availability is 24/7. It can be the best option forrural areas, agricultural land, farmhouses and industrial sites with no grid access.
Despite all advantages, it has a high installation cost due to batteries.
Hybrid System has both the features of off Grid and On Grid system. It operates
on grid but it also has battery storage for power backup. During the day, solar
energy powers appliances and charges batteries. Excess electricity can be sent
to the grid. During power outages, the system automatically switches to battery
backup. It is Ideal for the areas with frequent power outages and users who want
energy reliability. It is commonly used in residential, Industrial, Agricultural lands
and Commercial Sector.
Considering Pakistan’s frequent load shedding, unstable grid infrastructure and
rising electricity costs, the Hybrid Solar System is the most practical option. In far
flung areas, grid access is limited or unreliable making hybrid systems essential.
On the other hand, In urban cities, increasing power outages disrupt daily life
activities despite grid connectivity. Hybrid systems provide the flexibility to use
solar energy, grid power and battery backup.
