The first private photovoltaic (PV) power system has been installed in the city of Taicang in Jiangsu province. The PV system was installed on the roof of a private villa in the city.

Twenty-two solar PV panels were installed on the roof, providing an installed capacity of 6.6 kW. The villa's owner, Ms Zhu, said her inspiration to install a PV system at her home came from her friends from Shanghai who had installed similar systems.

The private PV system has been connected to the national electricity network. Zhu is able to receive a 20-year subsidy of 0.42 yuan per kWh from the central government and a 3-year subsidy of 0.1 yuan per kWh is available from the Suzhou government. Any surplus electricity provided back to the grid can be sold back to the city at the local price.

"According to my calculations, I can recover the total cost of 90,000 yuan ($14,686.5) in 8 to 10 years. The devices can be used for 20 to 25 years, which means that in the following 10 – 15 years I will make net income," said Zhu.

Some enterprises in the city are also planning to implement personal PV power projects to keep pace with the country's support on the development of the new energy industry.

Edited by Jacob Hooson