Background paper on status of solar water heating in India

The gross potential for solar water heating systems in India has been estimated at 140 million sq. m. of collector area. Of this, 40 million sq.m. has been estimated as the realizable techno-economic potential at this stage. In order to accelerate development and deployment of solar water heating systems in the country, a modified programme of support was introduced by the Ministry in 2005. The main objective of the programme is to promote the widespread use of solar water heaters in the country through a combination of financial and promotional incentives, and other support measures so as to conserve electricity and other fossil fuels, apart from peak load shaving in cities and towns.