Within sight of the futuristic Oriental Pearl Television Tower that dominates Shanghai's skyline, the Huangpu No2 Retirement Home is making use of the energy of the future.
More than 20 solar panels installed on the roof of the ageing residential building provide hot water for 100 elderly residents at the government-owned facility.
Clambering around on the roof of the retirement home, handyman Xia Longkou praised the newly installed system as environmentally friendly and economically beneficial.
'We have been saving 100 yuan a month,' he said. The one disadvantage: three days without sunlight and the home must turn to its old gas-fired boiler as backup.
With growing power shortages and worsening pollution, the mainland is finally making greater use of alternative sources of energy such as wind and solar power. Legislators have approved the country's first renewable-energy law, which will take effect on January 1.
A number of mainland cities are tinkering with alternative energy. Shanghai has added motivation as it prepares to showcase a 'better city' when it hosts the World Expo in 2010.