| According to a recent study, a household with a | | | | note of the interest being generated by various |
| family of five persons using any form of electric | | | | voluntary organisations in developing countries as |
| water heater needs about 8,200 kilowatt hours of | | | | well. Many agencies are promoting environmentally |
| power in a year. Aren't thee figures shocking? | | | | friendly water heating solutions, use of solar |
| So, the facts are before you to decide to switch | | | | cookers, solar lighting in rural areas etc. |
| over to solar heating systems and save energy. | | | | Separate guidelines are being framed to make use |
| Popularising use of Solar Water Heaters | | | | of solar water heaters mandatory in commercial |
| The Government of India is popularising the use | | | | complexes. Those failing to adhere to these |
| of solar water heaters in all households in the | | | | norms will have to pay 10 paisa extra per unit of |
| metros. According to the Indian Renewable | | | | electricity consumed. However, members of the |
| Energy Department, there are 2.5 million solar | | | | Commercial Complex Owners’ Association are |
| water heaters already in use in the four major | | | | staging a protest against this move and are urging |
| metros of Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and | | | | the government to withdraw the same. |
| Bangalore. Also, the use of solar water heaters in | | | | You will be surprised to note that use of solar |
| commercial complexes across the country is | | | | energy is cent per cent in a tribal region in |
| gaining popularity. Slowly, people are beginning to | | | | Karnataka. They use solar energy for water |
| realise that solar water heaters are the best | | | | heating as well as cooking. The knowledge about |
| economical choice in domestic use. | | | | solar water heaters and solar cookers among the |
| With the life of a solar water heater being around | | | | tribals is amazing. |
| 12 to 15 years, solar water heaters pay for | | | | Many solar water heater manufacturers are also |
| themselves within four to five years after which | | | | offering huge discounts in order to popularise their |
| you enjoy free hot water for almost 10 years. | | | | brands. The solar water tanks are being |
| The government is also contemplating offering | | | | redesigned and the tank capacity is being |
| tax benefits to house owners by way of rebate | | | | manufactured to various sizes to meet the |
| of up to of up to 25 per cent on the cost of | | | | demands of families of all sizes. In group schemes, |
| installing a solar water heater. In major metros in | | | | one solar water heater will be offered free on |
| India, the city municipal corporations are offering | | | | purchase of five single units. |
| two per cent rebate on the property tax on | | | | A model solar powered town is being planned |
| house owners who go in for installation of solar | | | | near Maharashtra by the Indian government in the |
| water heaters. According to reports, there has | | | | next five years. A small township with 300 |
| been an increase of 15 per cent households in | | | | houses, a hospital, and two schools are proposed. |
| Indian metros going in for installation of solar | | | | Here, everything will be powered by solar energy |
| water heaters in the last two years. | | | | to ensure smooth living. Let’s hope that this |
| As we talk of popularising the use of solar water | | | | model town will prove to be a model to all major |
| heaters in developed countries, we should take | | | | cities in the country. |