Solar Water for Everyone – Chile

This activity is attempting to tap into expected demand for solar water heating systems in Chile. Through developing new green business lines, the project hopes to integrate more sustainable architecture into the design of new homes.

Fast facts:

Systems installed for 1,800 homes;
$400 per year in savings over a period of 20 to 25 years;
Expected demand of 20,000 units per year;
Goal to obtain 5% market share.

The problem

Demand for solar thermal in Chile is increasing as consumers and builders come to grasp the potential of using free energy from the sun to heat water in homes. But products and services for this market are lagging, representing a supply shortage.

The solution

This activity is collaborating with universities toward the development and marketing of green business lines for solar hot water heaters. The tax-deductible initiative is seeking to partner with different enterprises to offer products and services to fulfill this latent demand. The potential for tapping into solar radiation to heat water is highest from September to April, when the sun shines particularly strong in Chile.

Helping the planet

Heating water with radiation from the sun means less use of electricity produced through conventional sources such as the burning of fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases. Switching to solar hot water heating helps conserve natural resources and mitigate climate change.

Helping people

The project has an environmental educational benefit for the public on renewable energies and energy independence in houses. Implementing solar hot water heating technology reduces energy costs, benefitting low-income families.

Scaling up

The activity hopes to transform its role to serve as an energy service company by significantly increasing the number of users for solar hot water heating technology. To support this goal, the initiative is seeking additional funding to develop an after-sales department designed to establish a better market position. The initiative is also considering establishing a joint venture with social housing developers to use the project’s infrastructure to install solar water heating systems on thousands of houses each year.