Solar Thermal Power in Daily life

Ever since I moved to India in May 2009, leading news papers like Business Line and The Hindu have been regularly publishing articles about promoting Solar power usage in India and the world trends in this direction.

Today I was reading an interesting article about the world Solar Thermal Energy increased by 19GW in the last 10 years.

It seems that, India receives 270 days of full sunshine and what a lot of power that is. Wow!!

If you happen to be in Bangalore, almost every 5th rooftop has a Solar Thermal water heater. Do all those people effectively use Solar water heater ? I doubt .. because one big house that we visited recently , the people were proud when they showed us their Solar water heater. But also added that, they have a Geycer and use it when it is cloudy and rainy.

In this hurry burry world, when everyone in the household has to get out before 8.30am in the morning for School, work or other things, it is difficult to rely on Solar water heater to supply the needed hot water. They would eventually turn on the geycer and hence I feel that Solar water heaters are not effectively used.. This may not be the case just in India but all over the world.

But it is still a big improvement over no solar heater at all. It would definitely prove useful when used in Hostels and large establishments where more people use water.

And how nice it would be , if hot water is supplied allover the house , kitchen , bathroom sinks etc. in one of the taps..and not just for bathing..
I hope the construction industry learns this tip for atleast the newer constructions.

If anyone has more ideas of Solar thermal usage in daily lives please send your comments and we can discuss it further.

More in next post.

E < Re < C ( Courtesy :- Google )

I am logging into my blog after quiet sometime.. Ever since I read the google paper on E <>

Having moved to India recently, I am stuck by how little an average middle class family in India use energy compared to a similar family in US.

I can list quiet a few aspects where the energy efficiency is already practised in India as compared to US.

1. Dishwashers are a novelty in India. If one needs domestic help, it is a general practice to employ a house-maid for a very small fee.

2. Centralised Heaters are unheard of in India ( except 5* hotels or some high profile areas). Whether it is a cool Bangalore or the coldest kashmir in winters, people just cover up in woollen blankets and stay warm. At the most, I have seen some small size radiators where one can warm up their feet and hands for a few mins.

3. Clothes driers are again a novelty in India. People generally dry clothes under the sun. When it rains, someone rushes to take clothes back inside the house. Personally, I am in favour of buying one since I feel that, hanging clothes on a cloudy day does not dry clothes even after 1 day and the clothes start smelling weird..

4.Car pool is a given in most households.. If both spouses go to work, the husband drops the wife and goes to work or atleast drops the child at school and so on.. A second vehicle in a middle class house hold is usually a 2 wheeler ( motorcycle) and used only for shorter commutes.

5.Since distances are near , meaning houses are small and shopping complexes are within walking distance in well-developed communities, many people usually walk to nearby areas or at the most take their 2 wheeler for quick shopping..

Going back to life in US, the system in a person's life is built such that, one has to spend plenty of energy to meet minimum needs for a day. So the question of energy efficiency is very relevant.

The big houses that people live in , definitely is a big energy guzzler.. And an SUV or a mini-van that households have once they have a child is another energy gobbler..Centralized heating and air-conditioning is a given which mounts to huge energy consumption. So one has to think twice about improving those systems at home.

With Cap & Trade bill being passed, it wont be long before energy companies start charging their customers exhorbitant rates so that one will be forced to look at E and then possibly Re.

I am thrilled that finally , all these noble ideas which were preached in small pockets is coming mainstream and affecting every household and person.

More later.