China's appliance tycoons Midea and Gree have put self-developed solar air conditioners on the domestic and overseas market at the price of only one or two thousand yuan (150 or 300 US dollars) more than ordinary ones, Guangzhou Daily reported Wednesday.

A solar power expert in the Chinese Academy of Sciences explained how the environmentally-friendly appliance works.

The solar air conditioner operates via power generated by solar photovoltaics. When lacking sunrays, home use electricity will power the appliance automatically, said the expert. According to Wang Jinliang, vice president of marketing division in Midea Group, the extra cost of a solar air conditioner mainly lies in the photovoltaics solar panel which is about one thousand yuan.

Though the price is not high, solar air conditioners require good lighting conditions. Buildings in high density are unsuitable to install the green air conditioners.