Solar vs Diesel Generator: Stop Burning Money

Yes, significantly. Solar energy costs effectively ₹0-2/unit (amortized over 25 years), while Diesel power costs ₹20-25/unit depending on fuel prices. Switching to solar can reduce energy costs by 90% compared to DG sets.

For daytime usage, yes. An On-Grid or Hybrid solar system can eliminate the need for DG during sunny hours. For night backup, you need a Hybrid system with batteries (Li-ion/Lead Acid) to replace DG entirely. DG is now primarily used only for emergency backup during long cloudy spells.

Solar is solid-state with no moving parts, requiring only occasional cleaning (₹2K-5K/year). Diesel Generators are mechanical engines needing regular oil changes, filter replacements, and fuel top-ups, costing ₹15K-50K/year plus fuel logistics headaches.

A standard 10kVA DG set emits about 2.6 kg of CO2 per liter of diesel burned. Running it for 4 hours a day produces ~10-15 tons of CO2 annually. Solar produces 0 emissions, making it the environmentally responsible choice.

If you heavily rely on DG (e.g., commercial outage backup), the payback period for Solar + Battery is often just 2-3 years because you are offsetting expensive ₹25/unit diesel power. For purely grid-tied solar offsetting grid power (₹8/unit), payback is 4-5 years.