Prices of gadgets that provide electricity during power outages are skyrocketing and the dealers are fleecing the consumers by taking advantage of massive announced and unannounced load shedding in residencies and commercial areas. During a survey of market, it was observed that sale of solar units, generators, UPS and batteries have increased in the city as people are going for alternate modes of electricity to offset massive load shedding which has crippled domestic and commercial life. Dealers say the prices vary in different localities.
Demand of Chinese genitors is more as compared to imported genitors from Japan, Korea and Turkey due to price difference. The price of Chinese generators ranges from Rs 41,000 to 950,000 with different brands, power generating capacities, and of varying quality. Everyone, who can afford to spend 30,000 to 50,000 rupees, is purchasing a small generator, solar system and UPS just to be able to sleep at nights well as beet the heat of the day", the dealers said.
This year, UPS prices range between Rs 8,000 and Rs 20,000, depending on capacity. For a local 500 watts UPS, which is sufficient for two tube lights and two fans, the price ranges between Rs 8,500 and Rs 9000, and a Chinese UPS (600 watts) will cost Rs 8,000 the prices are excluding battery.
There are different size of solar panels available in the market cost ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 600,000 and above for home use. They can operate few lights to entire home including AC, refrigerators and other electronic equipments. The average prices of small solar panel in market to operate one fan DC two pedestal fans and five bulbs of 5 watts up to 24 hr backup with battery cost Rs 45,000 and to operate 3 DC pedestal fans 5 DC Savers a 5 years warranty complete system including 100 amp battery cost around Rs 30,000.