Grid-connected and off-grid solar PV systems are both part of the solar lab at ARNI University in Himachal Pradesh, completed in September 2026 to give engineering students practical experience with each.
Equipment includes solar panels, inverters, MPPT charge controllers and battery storage systems, arranged so students can build and compare grid-connected and off-grid configurations. An MPPT controller constantly adjusts the operating point of the panels to draw the most power as sunlight and temperature change, which students can observe directly in the output readings.
SkyySkill Labs provided equipment, installation, faculty training and technical support.
Students install and wire solar panels, set up MPPT charge controllers, connect inverters and battery storage, then monitor output and troubleshoot faults through practical renewable energy projects. Building both configurations shows how design choices change with and without battery backup. These tasks match roles such as solar PV installer, solar O&M technician and rooftop solar designer.
In a hill state where many homes, homestays and remote sites rely on battery-backed power, the off-grid side of the lab is as relevant to Himachal Pradesh students as the grid-tied side.
