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Solar energy-based electricity generation has become an essential component of sustainable development and meeting the growing demand for energy. A study is conducted to compare the performance of rooftop and ground-mounted solar power plants installed in Assam, India. The study found that ground-mounted plants generated an average of 3.41 kWh per kWp of energy per day, while rooftop plants generated 2.89 kWh per kWp. The study also observed that rooftop solar power plants had non-operating days due to inverter faults, grid failures, and poor weather conditions, which were 1.1 and 0.95 days, respectively. The capacity factors were 14.2 % and 11.4 %, while the performance ratios were 77.8 % and 70.1 % for ground-mounted and rooftop plants, respectively. The average system efficiency of ground-mounted plants and rooftop plants is 12.59 ± 0.26 % and 11.88 ± 0.11 %, respectively. The study used the Weibull distribution function to describe the daily normalized energy generation frequency curve, which revealed a peak probability of 0.38 at a daily normalized energy generation of 2.9 kWh per kWp for rooftop plant and 0.34 at a daily normalized energy generation of 3.4 kWh per kWp for ground-mounted plant. The installation of a solar power plant has resulted in an average reduction of Rs. 43.7 lakhs per year in the University's electricity bill. This study demonstrates the successful operation of rooftop solar power plants, which not only reduces the electricity expenses of organizations but also has a positive impact on sustainability. • Performance comparisons of rooftop and ground-mounted solar power plants located in Assam, India • Normalized energy generations are estimated for ground-mounted and rooftop solar power plants • The system efficiency of ground-mounted plants and rooftop plants is 12.59 % and 11.88 %, respectively. • The probability density is estimated for different values of normalized daily energy generation • Weibull scale and shape parameters are estimated for ground-mounted and rooftop solar power plants [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out in four districts of Assam to assess the technical functionality of the solar home lighting systems (SHLS), service delivery model, institutional mechanism, maintenance and monitoring, user's awareness and its impacts on rural livelihood. The study found that only 28.9% of the systems are functional, 62.3% are found working with minor faults and 8.8% are either non-functional or having major faults. The average working durations per day for winter, summer and monsoon seasons are 2.2 h, 3.5 h and 2.3 h respectively. The study observes noticeable benefits due to adoption of SHLS such as reduction in kerosene consumption, increase in children's study hours, extended working hours of small businesses and income generation through mobile phone charging. One of the key reasons for unsatisfactory technical performance of SHLS is because of poor service delivery model and inefficiency in existing institutional structure such as passive village energy committee and non-availability of service centres or local technicians for post-installation maintenance. The study observes that user perceptions on the system are positive. However, cost considerations seem to be the main obstacle for system adoption. This study concludes that availability of local technicians, effective village energy committees, demand driven system design and appropriate social awareness towards livelihood improvement options will improve the sustainability and economic viability of the SHLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]