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The mandatory installation of solar water heater as a precondition to obtain power connection has been resented by people in Kodagu.

The main reason being the non-feasibility of such a condition due to the climatic condition in the district.

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission, in its amendment to the various clauses of conditions of supply of electricity, had made the use of solar water-heating systems mandatory in certain categories of buildings.

The condition, besides hotels, guesthouses, hospitals, community halls and kalyana mantaps, also applies to all residential buildings with a built-up area of 600 sq ft and above constructed on sites measuring 1200 sq ft and above falling within the limits of municipalities, corporations and the Bangalore Development Authority sectors.

For more than half a year, there is incessant rain. For a month or two, there is a misty atmosphere. So, people say, installing solar water heaters is not practical.

Dissatisfaction reigns

As the rains have just subsided, construction work has just commenced in full swing in the district.
When house owners approached Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (Cescom) for electricity connection, they were stunned by the new rule on solar water heater.

The installation of a solar water heater involves an additional cost of several thousands in addition to the lakhs spent on construction of the house.

While citizens admit that solar water heaters save electricity and money, they say heaters cannot be of much use in a region where there is rain for almost eight months, followed by misty conditions for two months. Therefore, investing in a solar water heater is an additional burden, they say.

The issue of mandatory installation of solar unit has come up for discussion several times in the City Municipal Council meetings.

The CMC has written to the Managing Director of Cescom not to make the installation mandatory in Kodagu, but leave it to the citizens to decide whether to instal it or not.

However, no response has been received from Cescom.

According to Cescom Executive Engineer Divakar, the government has framed the rules uniformly for the State in a bid to save electricity.

Kodagu is now exempted from the rule. Kodagu is covered with dense forest and deadwood available in plenty is normally used for heating water. Electric water heaters are rarely used in the district.