Among the major beneficiaries are vendors of solar panels and appliances. “The number of solar equipment vendors has increased significantly over the past few months, but the sale of solar panels jumped during the floods,” said Jaideep Baruah, in charge of environment at the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council. Officials dealing with non-conventional energy said the demand for solar panels had made a few vendors in flood-prone areas sell their wares at a premium. Depending on whether it is monocrystalline and polycrystalline, a solar panel of up to 50 watts costs ₹46-73 per watt. “Many inmates of relief camps and flood-affected people in makeshift houses on embankments are using solar panels for basic requirement,” said Nayanjyoti Bhuyan, associated with an aid agency.

Source: The Hindu July 21, 2019 18:11 UTC