Rising fuel costs and better ecological awareness could be the factors behind the tipping point that’s making people turn to solar energy. This is amplified in a country which is home to the largest number of human population – China.
In China, solar energy is reaching villages much before electricity. China now has 27 million rooftop solar water heaters. With nearly 4,000 Chinese manufacturing companies in the fray, this relatively simple low-cost technology has been adopted by villagers even before electricity. The surprising fact is that these figures are approaching market saturation in some areas. One of the reasons is that competition has brought down prices. Solar collectors can be installed for as low as $200.
Though it might be a hefty pinch for some villagers, it does allow them the luxury of hot water. Also, once the initial installment cost of rooftop solar water heaters pays for itself or is paid off, the hot water is essentially free.
Rooftop solar heaters are the most simplest in the catalog of solar devices. Gradually, they are entering the mainstream consciousness and are even being looked at as home appliances. Factor in their economic viability – they can pay for themselves within 10 years because of electricity savings.
This plus factor is especially noticeable in some European countries where electricity is essentially costlier. In Austria for example, 15 percent of all households now rely on them for hot water. In Germany, 2 million households are heated up by solar. France and Spain are following through with incentives. Spain passed a March 2006 mandate that required installation of collectors on all new or renovated buildings.
What about the United States?
In the U.S, hitherto solar energy has served niche markets like swimming pools. But with federal tax credits, the market is experiencing a surge. The growth is being seen in the sunny states of Hawaii, Florida and California.
The numbers are stacking up. Projections are saying that if the growth patterns around the world can be sustained, we might see 1.5 billion square meters under solar energy by 2020. This is equivalent to 690 coal-fired power plants with a total output of 1,100 thermal gigawatts. Directly, it could reduce the use of coal fired thermal power stations around the world and especially countries like India and China.
Image:Wikipedia
