FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Neglecting regular cleaning leads to dust, bird droppings, moss, and other debris accumulating on panels. This reduces efficiency, encourages damaging plant growth, and significantly limits energy output. Rain alone isn’t sufficient; professional cleaning is essential to prevent long-term degradation.

Hotspots develop due to dirt buildup, shading, or foreign objects. Mechanical damage (e.g., cracked glass, bent frames) and internal faults like cell defects or microcracks can cause uneven heating, reducing module performance and lifespan.

Stepping or falling on a panel can cause micro-cracks within the solar cells, resulting in permanent damage and reduced power output.

Modules should be inspected and cleaned professionally as a minimum once or twice a year, but it will be highly dependant on environmental factors. Areas with high dust, bird activity may require more frequent cleaning.

Minor issues like loose connections can be repaired. However, cracked or severely damaged modules usually need replacement. Regular monitoring helps detect problems early and avoid system-wide performance losses.

A Battery Energy Storage System stores excess solar energy and releases it during peak demand or power outages. It ensures uptime, cuts costs via peak shaving, and reduces grid dependency. – essential for industries, agri-ops, tourism, and IPPs.

Yes. BESS supports your inverter when the grid fails, keeping your system active and operations running, which is critical for sectors like cold storage, resorts, and manufacturing.

Most modern lithium-ion BESS units are designed for 10–15 years or around 6,000–10,000 charge cycles. Key factors influencing lifespan include depth of discharge (DoD), operating temperature, battery chemistry, and maintenance. Operating within recommended parameters ensures longer service life and lower total cost of ownership.

Lithium-ion batteries dominate the BESS market due to their high energy density, fast response time, and efficiency. Alternatives like lead-acid, redox flow, or sodium-sulfur batteries exist, but vary in cost, cycle life, and scalability. For commercial solar PV applications, lithium-ion typically offers the best performance-to-cost ratio. Flow batteries are emerging for long-duration needs. Lead-acid and sodium-based types serve niche uses.

Sizing depends on your energy consumption patterns, desired backup duration, peak demand, and solar generation profile. For example, a system designed to support critical loads during a 4-hour load shedding period will differ from one intended for full off-grid functionality. A site assessment and load profile analysis are essential to right-size your storage.

A Power Purchase Agreement is a contract where SPS fully funds, designs, and installs a solar PV and/or battery energy system at your site. Instead of paying upfront for the system, your business pays only for the electricity it consumes – usually at a lower cost than grid tariffs.

While both options are fully funded and include SPS’s Operation & Maintenance (O&M) and asset management services, the core difference lies in payment structure and ownership. Under a PPA, you pay per kWh of electricity consumed. Under an equipment lease, you pay a fixed monthly rental for the installed assets. A PPA aligns better with energy performance, while a lease offers cost certainty.

• Zero capital investment – SPS covers all upfront costs.
• Energy cost savings – You pay only for the electricity used, often at lower rates than the grid.
• Performance assurance – SPS handles maintenance and performance monitoring throughout the contract term.

At the end of the PPA (typically 10–20 years), you may have the option to:

• Extend the agreement,
• Purchase the system at a fair market value, or

This flexibility ensures your business remains in control of its energy future.

SPS structures PPAs for commercial and industrial clients across sectors like mining, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. If your site has high energy consumption, sufficient space for solar infrastructure (rooftop or ground-mounted), and a stable business model, you’re likely a good fit. A free site assessment will determine technical and financial feasibility.