Small innovation company INTEN, set up by scientists of the Penza State Technological Academy (PSTA), and the Nizhnelomovsky Electromechanical Plant have agreed to launch serial production of solar collectors, developed in the PSTA, news agency Cleandex reports.

A solar collector heats water using solar energy, enabling owners of private households and agricultural firms to save considerable funds. The device will cost over $600, sources in the PSTA said.

The first solar collector is scheduled for production at the end of February. Under plans, 500 collectors will be produced in 2012.

The project was supported by the government of Penza region through a special grant given to INTEN.

The collector is just part of the complex energy supply system, offered by the scientists to private households. Under plans, production of these systems will also be launched. All parts will be produced by local Penza firms.

Innovation Technologies in Energy (INTEN) was founded in May 2011. The company develops and implements alternative energy sources projects for the moderate climate zones of Russia.