According to solar water heater makers, since October 1 when MNRE stopped subsidy on installation of the units, demand for new installations have decreased by more than 50%. North Indian states are the main buyers of the systems and Himachal is one of the main consumers. Almost all big hotels in the state are installing solar water heaters to bring down their electricity bill by 50 to 70%. Large numbers of domestic properties too have installed the systems to save conventional power. Sources said that new installations have almost frozen after government stopped subsidy.
Vinay Sharma, a solar water heater supplier, said very few people are now installing the units and are waiting for subsidy to resume. "Sale of water heating systems has surely decreased by more than 50% in domestic houses," he said.
Another supplier, Sanjay Sharma, said customers with whom the deal was in the pipeline have also changed their mind after government discontinued subsidy on installation of solar water heater. "Maximum use of solar energy is the need of the hour. But still solar heaters are out of reach of common people. Stopping subsidy has suddenly affected sale."
People were getting up to 60% subsidy on installation of solar water heating units in domestic houses and up to 30% for commercial properties. Tourist towns of Manali, Shimla, Dalhousie and Dharamshala witnessed a solar revolution in last five years when hundreds of hotels installed solar water heaters. Many hotels claim they are saving lakhs of rupees by reducing the amount of hefty electricity bills by using solar water heaters. This revolution has also reached rugged terrains of Ladakh and tribal areas of Lahaul-Spiti where people are getting systems fitted on their rooftops.
http://ift.tt/1ogV8FD energy,Shimla,Dharamshala
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