Energy-saving technologies too expensive for wide-scale use

Shanghai Bund

Shanghai Bund

ENERGY-SAVING technologies demonstrated at the World Expo were welcomed by residents in a Yangpu District community for a trial operation, but officials yesterday said huge costs make it difficult to introduce them on a wide scale. The solar energy panels, mist sprayers and rainwater collection system that were widely used by Expo pavilions have been installed on two five-story residential buildings, which were built in the 1950s, at No.4 Anshan Community in Yangpu. More than 80 homes can now use free hot water while the electricity for street lamps is provided by solar panels installed on roofs.

The project cost 6 million yuan (US$907,825) and funding was provided by the city's science and technology committee, district government and the community. Li Xixiong, a neighborhood community official, said without government support each family would have to pay about 4,000 yuan to install the facilities. Given the choice, most families would opt not to install the facilities, Li said. The project will be promoted in a few communities since wide-scale promotion requires funding, an official with the Yangpu science and technology committee said. The official said the current projects are designed to raise awareness among residents about the benefits of energy-saving facilities. Resident Xia Meng said her electricity bill was 30 percent lower because of the new facilities.

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