Residential solar panels in China?

What's the deal?

- Are they water heaters only or do they supply electricity to the home? Can they store electricity and see you through a blackout?

- What's the quality like? Do they need much maintenance? If they do stop working, do you still have regular water heaters?

- How much do they cost, typically?


I'm on the top floor, my water heater was old when it was installed, and I'm on campus. I'm thinking I might ask the school to install solar.

To the best of my knowledge, those tube structures are only for hot water.  I'd assume that there's a backup water heater for times when it's too cold or cloudy outside.  No clue on cost or other questions since I've never used one.

Electric solar panels do exist in China (and many are made here), but I haven't personally seen them used in a Chinese residential setting yet.