According to an INSEE study based on 2022 data, solar water heaters are more widely used in Reunion than in the Antilles and Guyana .
That year, six out of ten main residences were equipped with one on the island compared to less than five out of ten in Guadeloupe, four out of ten in Martinique, and two out of ten in Guyana. Equipment with solar water heaters increased significantly in Reunion between 2006 and 2022. The share of equipped housing has more than doubled over this period, under the effect of changes in regulations and public incentives. The latter particularly support installations in low-income households, who can thus benefit from specific or reinforced aid for equipment. However, the homes of the wealthiest households remain better equipped, as well as those of the owners. Houses are also more often equipped than apartments. In 23 of the 24 municipalities on the island, more than half of homes are equipped with a solar water heater. Saint-Denis is an exception : less than 4 out of 10 homes have such an installation. Indeed, in the capital, collective and older housing is more present than elsewhere, even if social landlords are striving to extend the use of solar hot water in their residences.
