Solar energy still difficult to promote

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China encourages the use of solar energy, and the law requires developers to provide necessary conditions for setting up solar energy equipment in homes. But as CCTV reporter finds out, adopting solar energy is still difficult.

In most of the tall buildings in Beijing, you can't install a solar energy heater. Housing developers say it's not possible.

One house sales person said "Our house can not install solar energy heaters. It affects house exterior appearance."

One house sales person said "Only top tier, 26th floor, can set up solar energy heaters due to safety concerns."

Experts say the key reason is that housing developers don't plan for solar energy heaters at the design stage of the building.

Meng Xiangan, Vice Chairman of China Regenerated Energy Society said "Building houses and installing heaters are now two separated tasks. Property developers do not take it into consideration."

Proponents of solar energy say developers do not need to install the equipment themselves. They merely need to leave space for it in the housing design. That is enough to promote the use of solar energy heaters without adding much cost.

Gui Yansheng, Manager of Beijing Sangpu Tech said " It will only cost developers about ten yuan more every square meter. That will solve the problems in ventilation and appearance for installing solar energy heaters."

In Hebei province, local government requires buildings below 12 stories to install solar energy. As a result, eighty percent of buildings in the province have set up solar energy. Experts say in Beijing, 270 to 300 days a year have sufficient sunshine, making weather conditions suitable for solar energy. Beijing municipal government says it plans similar measures to promote solar energy.