Tata BP Solar India opens Solar Shop in Lucknow, India
First solar shop opens in city – 50 more such shops in the pipeline
Express News Service, December 21, 2006
Source: Express India
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=214150
WITH the opening of the first exclusive solar equipment showroom in the city by TATA BP Solar India Limited, Lucknowites can now have a clean, silent, non-polluting and reliable energy source. Around 50 such shops will be opening shortly in the state. The equipments are lightweight, user-friendly and easy to connect and the product range includes solar cells, solar street lights, solar home lighting system, solar lanterns, road studs, solar water-heating system and lots more.
The products are designed in various sizes and shapes, keeping in mind the industrial as well as household use. Underlining the importance of alternative sources of energy, NEDA Director, Sanjay Bhoosreddy said it was time to look for alternative sources of energy as we are finishing off our fuels faster than these could be produced.
“The acceptance level of solar equipments among people is increasing, but they also want them easily available. And NEDA is working in this direction”, said Bhoosreddy. “Fifty four such such shops will be opening very shortly in various districts of the state. Our target is to open one solar equipment shop for every five lakh people.”
Bhoosreddy also said this effort would provide employment to many people. “Unemployed youths, who have done courses from ITI etc and want to start a solar equipments shop, will be given proper assistance”, he said. The only disappointing factor about the solar equipments is the prices of the equipments.
For instance, a solar inverter costs Rs 55,000, while a normal inverter costs around 10,000. Similarly, a solar water heater costs Rs 42,000 otherwise it costs around Rs 500.
However, the proprietor of the shop, Manoj Gupta says, looking at the quality of the products, the prices can be overlooked. “That’s not a fair comparison as the solar products are environment friendly and reliable energy source. After investing once, you don’t have to spend again in electric bills or refilling it. Also, little maintenance is required with these equipments”, he said. “If the government offers subsidies to this sector or more private companies come into this field, the products can become cheaper”, he added.