Exide launches solar water heaters
20 Aug 2007
Mumbai:
To reduce dependence on fossil-fuel energy resources
and promote the use of non-conventional energy-driven
products, Exide Industries Ltd, India''s leading automotive
and industrial storage battery maker, launched a wide
range of state-of-the-art solar water heaters in Hyderabad
today.
The water heaters are designed for use in rural as well
urban areas and promote the use of eco-friendly renewable
energy products in India.
The product is an evacuated tube collector-based solar
water heater, which is technologically superior to the
existing range of products available in the market. Being
an environment friendly device, solar water heater has
an edge over the conventional water heating systems and
saves environmental degradation by reducing the need for
fossil fuels.
A 100-litre solar water heater can replace electric geysers
for residential use and save 1500 units of electricity
annually, resulting in considerable savings in electricity
costs. This heater can also prevent emission of 1.5 tonnes
of carbon dioxide per year.
Internationally, the market for solar water heaters has
grown exponentially over the last few years. It is estimated
that over 107-million square meters of collector area
has so far been installed world wide for heating water.
In our country, the collector area so far installed is
only approx 1.00 million square meters.
"The market penetration of solar water heaters in
India is negligible compared to Europe and other developed
countries," said P K Kataky, director, automotive,
Exide Industries Ltd. "Therefore, there is a tremendous
potential for such products in our country, particularly
in view of the rising energy costs," he added.
Exide Industries has pioneered a host of initiatives in
the field of renewable and non-conventional energy. Under
its solar project, Exide developed solar systems to take
care of the need of rural people in remote parts through
stand alone home-lighting systems, lanterns and solar
power plants. These systems have been installed effectively
in remote villages in association with government nodal
agencies and private entrepreneurs.
Till date, Exide has successfully completed rural village
electrification programme for 6000 households in India.
Exide has developed solar lanterns of 3 watt and 7 watt
capacity for extensive use for camping, at hospitals,
shops, schools, colleges, work areas, fields, mines and
all domestic usages. Already more than 30,000 Exide make
lanterns are in use today.
Besides,
Exide has also developed LED technology, a state-of-the-art
technology for domestic solar lighting. Exide has designed,
manufactured, installed and distributed LED-based solar
home lighting, to more than 3000 houses in the tribal
areas of West Bengal. Exide''s street lighting systems
based on LED technology, is being used in Chattisgarh,
Jharkhand, West Bengal and other states.
