Is Solar Electricity Really a Viable Option for the Home Consumer

India receives approximately 3000 hours of sunshine a year, which if harnessed and used in an efficient and cost effective manner can help resolve the country’s energy scarcity. However, according to reports, the installed capacity of solar power in 2007 was a mere 0.2% of total energy production. Solar power is still very expensive to produce in comparison with conventional forms of energy.

So, is solar electricity really a viable option for you, the home user? Most urban and rural users in India still rely on conventional electric supply to power their homes. Currently, residential consumers across India do not really have widespread and easy access to solar power. Solar energy constitutes a very minor percentage of the country’s total installed electric capacity. Also, solar electricity when available is not normally an inexpensive alternative. Solar PV panels are expensive to install on an individual basis and the conditions for functionality do not always exist. For example, solar electric panels are usually installed on rooftops. Solar panels will be able to generate power only if the roof is not overshadowed by other tall buildings or trees. Also, solar panels are not necessarily light. Hence, your roof must be strong enough to support them.

However, given these constraints, domestic consumers in rural India and other parts of the country as well are increasingly turning to PV panels and other solar powered applications to resolve their energy problems. For some, the choice has also to do with concern for the environment since solar energy does not emit harmful greenhouse gases.

With the Government’s resolve to kick start the development and implementation of solar installations on a large scale, solar power options for residential users will increase in the years to come. India’s first solar powered housing complex has already come up just outside Kolkata. More such residential ventures, which incorporate BIPV technology, are in the pipeline.

Among the most widely used solar powered home applications in India is the solar water heater. A 100 litre capacity solar heater is adequate for a family of four.The system uses a solar collector and an insulated tank made of stainless steel, which can hold 100 litres of water.You would need roughly 45 square feet of free space on your roof to install the heater, which will be connected to the water tank. Hot water will be piped to faucets in the house. Water that flows into the tank and circulates during the day is heated to around 60 degrees centigrade by the end of the day. The insulation enables hot water to be stored for around 48 hours. Users, thus, have access to hot water round the clock.

Solar water heaters normally last around 15 years and the collectors come with a 10 year guarantee.A 100 litre system costs approximately Rs. 18,000. Though the Government offers no subsidy on domestic water heaters, quite a few state governments subsidise these systems in limited numbers.However, several banks have stepped in with low interest loans in order to enable consumers to purchase these useful and eco – friendly heaters.In Karnataka, domestic solar water heaters have a significant market share.The Karnataka Government’s initiative to extend rebates of Rs. 250 per month to consumers who use solar water heating systems has promoted the use of these heaters.

Other applications such as solar cookers, solar battery chargers, solar lanterns and emergency power systems are also used by residential users in many parts of the country. Though the use of solar panels and solar applications is not widespread in India, the market potential is enormous. With favourable public policy, proactive public and private sector participation and increasing awareness among the general public, the future of solar power generation in India looks bright indeed.