Solar energy shines through power cuts

29 Jul, 2022 - 00:07 0 Views
Solar energy shines through power cuts The use of renewable solar energy is environmentally friendly and cheaper when compared to other sources of energy

The ManicaPost

 

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter

WITH the biting electricity cuts being experienced across the country as industry picks up, solar energy has turned out to be a readily available and efficient alternative source of power for industrial and household usage.

However,the prohibitive costs of appliances and installation remains the stumbling block for many who would want to make use of solar energy in their spaces.

In recent years, frequent power cuts have nudged many businesses and households to move to alternative and more reliable sources of power, including solar.

A snap survey conducted by The Manica Post revealed that households who want to make use of solar energy at their homes need to fork out an average of US$1 000 for the entire suite that will power about seven rooms.

Companies seeking to augment their energy through solar need an investment of about US$1 million to generate one megawatt only.

Although Government has made significant strides in promoting the importation of solar appliances by removing duty, this only applies to selected solar implements, depending on the type of the tariff code it falls under.

For instance, duty is charged on solar inverters, while Value Added Tax is being charged on lithium batteries only.

Panels do not attract any duty charges.

For household usage, solar equipment made in China, including batteries, photovoltaic panels, cables and inverters, have become popular in Zimbabwe due to their relatively low price.

Such equipment, entering either lawfully or via smugglers, is what is largely available on Zimbabwe’s energy equipment retail market.

Zimbabwe is a sunshine-rich country, enjoying a remarkable seven and half hours of sunlight a day, thus experts in the energy sector believe the country has potential to provide enough power for domestic use and even export power if solar energy is fully exploited.

But despite that, locally, solar farms account for only 2,5 percent of the total electricity generated, compared to some European countries that don’t have ample sunshine, such as Germany, where solar’s share of the total electricity generated rose above 10 percent last year.

Given that the use of renewable solar energy is environmentally friendly and cheaper when compared to other sources of energy, promotion of its use is judicious from both the business as well as sustainable development viewpoint.

Environment consultancy expert, Mr Oliver Mutasa noted: “Given the amount of sunshine Zimbabwe receives, it should be able to provide its people with the electricity they need. Solar is beyond doubt a good option, especially in this era where the country is embarking on a number of projects.

“Industry is now picking up and a lot of energy is required. We are pushing for better energy sources. There is a huge deficit in terms of our needs versus what we are generating. Solar energy can cover that gap.

“However, costs of solar installation are rather prohibitive. Yes, we have made progress and we are happy that solar panels are getting cheaper and cheaper, but the fact remains that they are still out of reach for many, especially for individuals and small to medium enterprises.

“The reduction of some taxes on the importation of solar implements has been a step in the right direction, but there is still room for improvement for us to make a deliberate move to promote usage of solar,” said Mr Mutasa.

He said while solar energy is very cheap in the long run, it is very expensive to install.

Power Purchase Agreements for investors in solar energy production have also militated against meaningful investment in the sub-sector.

“That controlled marketing hinders investment in the sector. Solar plant investors need to provide the service to a market that gives them returns on their investments. Liberalisation of the sector will reap more positive results,” said Mr Mutasa.

Last year, Government announced that it intends to exempt investors in solar energy from paying taxes for a period of five years.

The move seeks to attract investments from energy producers across the country and beyond.

Other efforts have seen Government approving 39 solar power projects with a total generating capacity of 1 151MW.

In May 2020, ZETDC invited bids for an additional 500MW.

In pursuit of effective power generation, Government has also been encouraging independent power producers to feed their solar power into the national grid.

Rural Electrification Agency (REA) spokesperson, Mr Johannes Nyamayedenga said Government has made remarkable headway in making sure that electricity is available in rural areas and also installed solar systems in remote areas to provide power.

“We have done a lot in trying to ensure that areas that are in the remotest parts of the country get basic energy through installation of solar systems. Where we know that it will take time to have mainline network coverage, we have been installing potable solar systems,” said Mr Nyamayedenga

 

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