It consists of a number of evacuated glass tubes fitted to a frame with a hot water tank at the top, the frame kept at an angle to catch maximum sun. The heaters use the latest technology known as Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors (ETC) which are very efficient and provide hot water at a temperature of 45-70 deg all year round.The hot water can be used in bathrooms instead of using electric geysers
for the winter months. In summer the hot water is very useful in the kitchen and for other household needs.The solar heaters come in different sizes, are very reasonably priced, and there are no running costs. The hot water heater needs to be installed on the roof or terrace of a building which gets the sun for a number of hours in winter. There has to be a cold water tank at a higher level than the heater and insulated pipes connect the hot water to where it is needed. Costs start from around Rs 20,000 for 100 litre/2 person, Rs. 40,000 for 200 litre/4person and around 7 lakhs for 5000 litre suitable for larger establishments. For industrial/commercial usage other features are available, and the water heaters are available in multiples of 5000litres /day. This is a totally green technology. There is a significant saving of electricity and once the heater is installed the hot water is free. The onetime cost is recovered within 2 years. Also the government is very committed to renewable energy. Gurgaon has in fact, been declared a Solar City, and a lot of incentives are being offered for solar energy. rebate of about Rs 5000, Rs.10,000 and Rs. 45,000 respectively for the solar heaters of different sizes and also a rebate in the electricity bill as an incentive. They have also made it mandatory for guesthouses, hospitals and other such institutions and plots over 500 sq m to install solar water heating. All things considered, this is really a great time to start using solar energy and see the savings! For questions and enquiries about solar water heating and other solar needs, please contact S. Luthra : 9810114904
