Solar Water Heater – An Alternative Eco-friendly Technology
Water heaters are very much used by the developed countries. Earlier it was used as a luxury product, but in recent times water heating accounts for one of the second largest segments of household energy use, after space heating and cooling. The higher energy usage for heating purposes is creating immense pressure on the national grid for excess supply of electricity. Not only this, but it is also affecting electricity prices badly. Traditional heaters, such as geysers and boilers are even more harmful to the environment. The heating process involves the burning of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gas into the environment. In this regard, an alternative technology has come into the picture that can be used to heat water without harming the environment. One such technology is a solar water heater. It simply uses solar power to heat water.
In India, households and businesses are dependent on grid electricity for heating purposes. Water is heated using electricity from the grid, powered largely by coal, which is very harmful to the environment. Most of the households with lower income levels cannot afford to use hot water for their domestic uses. A solar water heater can work as an alternative solution to traditional water heating systems. India has advanced remarkably in the adoption of solar water heaters as alternatives to traditional water heaters. It is estimated that by installing a solar home water heating system, a family can save up to Rs 1000 per month on electricity, and a person can also get a good quality of hot water just like an electric water heater.
Solar water heaters are very economical and affordable because they have a low maintenance cost. India’s solar water heater industries have experienced huge growth over the past 15 years. The potentiality of this eco-friendly SWH market is estimated to reduce both economic and environmental costs of water heating in the long run. At present, more than 50% of the population in the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra are using a solar water heater for home. In India, currently, around 1 million households are using solar water heaters and the growth rate is around 20%. SWH industries in India enjoy a lot of subsidy schemes and thus they are gaining popularity.
In India, the payback period for solar heaters is quite short. It substitutes the need for the electricity which is required to run power-guzzling water heaters in residential and commercial establishments. Solar water heaters are relatively easy to build and install and thus they are quite popular and are gaining success rapidly. Furthermore, low electricity tariffs have contributed a lot to the development of this industry.
People mostly prefer low cost and shorter payback period times. Thus, they have started accepting solar water heaters over traditional electric heaters. To increase the use of domestic solar water heaters, well-known solar heater manufacturing companies should arrange for educational programs to educate people about the benefits of the best quality of solar water heaters. A solar water heater can really help in improving the environmental conditions and can reduce electricity bills as well.
