Advanced Affordable Solar Hot Water

Despite their increasing wealth, middle class households in developing countries often face undesirable energy options. Cheap biomass fuels remain a necessary energy source for over 2.4 billion people, despite the enormous health consequences of using these fuels. Households that opt to use electricity and other fossil fuels to avoid these health impacts face steep energy costs, often twice as high as in developed countries. The World Bank estimates that the developing world is only investing half of the $160 billion in annual investments needed to meet its growing electricity needs, which are expected to grow by a factor of 3 to 5 by 2050. Absent additional energy investments, these households will face significant social and economic costs, such as rolling blackouts and other rationing policies.

Instalation by Xelatechno of a CalSolAgua heater in the village of Xela, Guatemala - Summer 2008

Meg, Homeowner, and Kenneth at a house equipped with a CalSolAgua heater