Major cities across India are grappling to meet the demand and supply gap with regard to meeting the power requirements. Residents are feeling the pinch with four to six hours of regular power cuts every day. There is mounting pressure on the state electricity boards to reduce the transmission and distribution (T&D) losses. Taking into account all these factors, the respective governments are seriously popularizing the use of solar energy.
Though we all know the use and benefits of solar energy, not many have attempted to switch over to it. When it comes to domestic purposes, water heaters in the form of coils and geysers consume the maximum power. Solar water heater is the best answer to save a major portion of energy consumption in any household.
Unlike other heating elements, solar water heater keep the water hot throughout the day by making use of solar energy. The solar water heaters keep the water hot even in winter by producing minimum amount of energy.
It is amazing to know how a solar water heater works. The insulated water tank which you see installed on the terrace of the house, helps in heating up the water when the sun rays pass through the glass. Thus you can have the luxury of using hot water through out the day.
You would agree that more than 50 per cent of your electricity bill goes towards solar water heater. And what with the hike in power tariffs every year, where consumers shell out big money on power bills. Isn't switching over to solar water heater more economical? Moreover, you recover the investment on installing a solar water heater within four to five years depending on the usage. So, why spend more when you can get if for less.
You will also be surprised to know that there is very less maintenance cost on solar water heaters and the life of the solar water heater is anywhere between 12 and 15 years with proper maintenance. You may heave a sigh of relief that the maintenance cost is negligible or zero.
What more, you also get subsidies on your power bill for a certain slab on the number of units consumed when you install a solar water heater. Also, you get easy loans on solar heating systems which conform to the specific standards of ISI.
The Government of India is popularizing the use of solar water heaters in all households in the metros. According to the Indian Renewable Energy Department, there are 2.5 million solar water heaters already in use in the four major metros of Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Also, the use of solar water heaters in commercial complexes across the country is gaining popularity. Slowly, people are beginning to realize that solar water heaters are the best economical choice in domestic use.
With the life of a solar water heater being around 12 to 15 years, solar water heaters pay for themselves within four to five years after which you enjoy free hot water for almost 10 years.
The government is also contemplating offering tax benefits to house owners by way of rebate of up to of up to 25 per cent on the cost of installing a solar water heater. In major metros in India, the city municipal corporations are offering two per cent rebate on the property tax on house owners who go in for installation of solar water heaters. According to reports, there has been an increase of 15 per cent households in Indian metros going in for installation of solar water heaters in the last two years.
As we talk of popularizing the use of solar panel in developed countries, we should take note of the interest being generated by various voluntary organizations in developing countries as well. Many agencies are promoting environmentally friendly water heating solutions, use of solar cookers, solar lighting in rural areas etc.
Separate guidelines are being framed to make use of solar water heaters mandatory in commercial complexes. Those failing to adhere to these norms will have to pay 10 paisa extra per unit of electricity consumed. However, members of the Commercial Complex Owners' Association are staging a protest against this move and are urging the government to withdraw the same.
You will be surprised to note that use of solar energy is cent per cent in a tribal region in Karnataka. They use solar energy for water heating as well as cooking. The knowledge about solar water heaters and solar cookers among the tribals is amazing.
Many solar panel manufacturers are also offering huge discounts in order to popularize their brands. The solar water tanks are being redesigned and the tank capacity is being manufactured to various sizes to meet the demands of families of all sizes. In group schemes, one solar water heater will be offered free on purchase of five single units.
A model solar powered town is being planned near Maharashtra by the Indian government in the next five years. A small township with 300 houses, a hospital, and two schools are proposed. Here, everything will be powered by solar energy to ensure smooth living. Let's hope that this model town will prove to be a model to all major cities in the country.