What they say

Natham R. Viswanathan

R.Ganesan, resident of Nanganallur: I have been using solar water heater for a few months now and spent Rs.25,000 for 100-litre capacity product. I am planning to purchase solar inverter in future. Solar products are costly because there are fewer manufacturers here. The State government must provide a considerable subsidy as being done in north eastern States to encourage use of solar energy in houses.

Natham R. Viswanathan, Minister for Electricity: The government will announce a solar energy policy in the upcoming budget. Three review meetings have already been conducted on how to best utilise renewable energy subsidies. The government has also made a promise to instal photovoltaic panels on the rooftop of 1.8 lakh green houses which will be built as part of a scheme.

Ajit Jumar Kolar, convener of IIT-Madras Energy Forum: Most of the energy we use is imported. The per capita energy consumption in India is about 550 units per year. This is against a global average of 2,600 units per year. Imagine how much more electricity we are going to need with our increasing population and rising growth curve. Governments must evolve an Energy Security Index and try to use as much indigenous technology as possible.