Itemized Hardware Breakdown
A reliable on-grid solar installation consists of several critical components:
- Solar Modules (~50-55% of cost): Monocrystalline Half-Cut / Bifacial TOPCon panels.
- Grid-Tied Inverter (~20-25% of cost): Dual MPPT transformerless inverter with Wi-Fi telemetry.
- Galvanized Structure (~10-12% of cost): Hot-dip galvanized steel (80-120 micron coating) to prevent rust.
- Balance of System (BOS) (~10-15% of cost): DC/AC cables, IP65 junction boxes with SPDs, MC4 connectors, chemical earthing pits, and lightning arrestors.
Mounting Structure: Standard vs Elevated
Standard low-profile mounting structures (1.5–2 ft height) are economical, while elevated structures (7–9 ft height) allow complete terrace utilization underneath for an additional nominal fabrication cost.
Earthing & Electrical Safety Components
Never compromise on safety. A standard installation requires at least 3 separate chemical earthing pits: one for DC surge protection, one for AC inverter grounding, and one dedicated exclusively to the lightning arrestor.
Beware of Cheap Shortcuts: What to Watch Out For
Cheap unauthorized vendors often use non-galvanized painted iron pipes (which rust within 2 years), undersized AC/DC copper cables (causing high line loss and fire risk), or fake uncertified inverters that fail DISCOM net-metering inspection.