Report: China to increase solar water heater coverage by 50% by 2010

[jpak]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/20/content_6762347.htm

BEIJING,, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The coverage of solar water heating systems in operation in China will reach 150 million square meters in 2010, an increase of 50 percent from the current level, a report from the country's top planning authority predicted.

The Energy Research Institute (ERI) of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) submitted a report on "Renewable Energy Markets And Policies In China" to the on-going "Solar World Congress 2007" here on Thursday.

China accounts for more than half of the world's solar-heated water consumption as well as for half of the world's annual output of solar water heating systems, the report said.

By 2006, the coverage of solar water heaters in operation in China hit 100 million square meters, benefiting about 200 million people. The annual production capacity has reached 20 million square meters in 2006, up 20 percent on the previous year, according to the report.

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