All of our hot water is from solar heat. Last week we had two pretty dull days so it was cool showers, but on warm days we have hot water to spare. Most homes in Kathmandu have solar panels and it seems like this country is way ahead in using green energy than any we have lived in or visited before. We are told that even in remote villages small micro solar units are used for light. Sometimes micro hydro units are dropped into nearby rivers to give power to groups of homes. This technology is vital for a country whose terrain makes traditional landlines just impossible