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The Chinese way

  • 14/12/2007

It is estimated that by 2015 roughly 20-30 per cent of the Chinese population will be using the sun to heat their domestic water. The country has built a huge manufacturing base for these systems and its suppliers even offer 10-15-year guarantees on them. Chinese solar water heater exports are booming going from 200,000 sq m of collecter area in 1999 to 2 million sq m in 2006. Companies in China have improved the heater's design, cutting price. The price of a typical low-end Chinese solar power system (2x2 sq metre collector with 180 litre tank on top) is RMB 2,000 (roughly Rs 10,000). The price could even drop to as little as RMB 1,000 (roughly Rs 5,000). In India, manufacturers are still cold to the market.

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