A set of solar power devices were being installed in a residential community in Huaqiao International Business Service Park on Sept 26. It is the first private photovoltaic power system in Suzhou city, Kunshan Daily reported on Sept 27.

Blocks of shining polysilicon panels were piled on the roof of Mr Yi's villa. "The panels can turn solar energy into electricity. It is easy to install a PV power station for family use. It only takes two days to finish the project in general," said Du Xiangxiang, an engineer from China Electric Equipment Group.

"According to my calculation, I can recover the total cost of 30,000 yuan ($4,902) in seven or eight years," said Mr Yi, who is an employee of a German company in Shanghai. “I can enjoy cheaper electricity in an environmentally friendly way, utilizing the spare space."

Du said that private PV power stations can connect with the national electricity network. The owners can get a 20-year subsidy of 0.42 yuan per kWh and sell the surplus electricity to the country at local prices.