Shandong-based Himin Solar Energy Group, the country's largest manufacturer of solar water heaters, sees huge potential for solar energy products as the massive housing market provides a platform for the growing shift towards renewable energy.
'The global financial crisis provides a golden opportunity for us to promote solar energy products because cost-saving has become an important issue for enterprises,' chairman Huang Ming said.
He added that the savings would definitely be more than the installation cost in the long term, saying for example that a hotel could save more than 3 million yuan (HK$3.4 million) over four years if it installed a 3 million yuan worth of solar water heater.
Himin also produces solar photoelectric and thermal products, solar vacuum collector tubes, and solar energy building and energy-saving glass.
'Colour television and air-conditioners have become popular over the past two decades, why can't solar energy products?' Mr Huang said.
He also expected demand for solar energy products would rise along with the housing upgrade in rural areas and as people became more aware of environmental protection.
Beijing aims to raise its reliance on renewable energy, including solar power, to account for 10 per cent of total energy consumption by next year and 15 per cent by 2020.