Cut bills with solar energy
Apr 16, 2010
SOLAR electricity has changed the life of 35-year-old teacher Caroline Namutyaba, who lives in Ngaronkalu, Luwero district. Namutyaba is one of the beneficiaries of Sonnen_systeme project which aims at connecting rural homes to solar energy.
BY AIDAH NANYONJO
SOLAR electricity has changed the life of 35-year-old teacher Caroline Namutyaba, who lives in Ngaronkalu, Luwero district. Namutyaba is one of the beneficiaries of Sonnen_systeme project which aims at connecting rural homes to solar energy.
She can now easily go through the pile of books stacked on her table without the worry of darkness putting an end to her work. “My eyes always hurt and my head ached due to fumes from the candle. Imagine trying to go through a hundred exercise books with poor lighting and smoke. The alternative was to mark assignments before sunset,†she says.
Many African countries are blessed with sunlight all year round and are tapping this free and clean energy source to light up homes, especially in rural areas.
Electrifying rural areas poses unique challenges for African governments. Unlike homes in urban areas, it is costly to connect rural homes to the national electricity grid since they are scattered.
The country project manager of Sonnen_systeme, Samuel Fan, says they distribute modern solar systems that suit various conditions in Uganda to both small and big homes.
The systems comprise a socket for solar and a socket for electricity. It is a matter of connecting the electric cables to the solar system.
The system can work as a stand-by power solution. If it is connected and the power goes off, the solar comes on automatically.
“Our products are not only for rural areas but even people in urban areas can use them since the system can work concurrently,†says Fan.
He says the system, which is produced in four different sizes of 2400, 1300, 600 and 300 watts is a complete and ready to use product.
“You don’t need to move from one shop to another looking for solar products to connect your home. This system is packaged in one cabin ready for installation,†Fan says.
The system is manufactured and tested by professionals from Germany. It comes with a cable of 50 metres used to connect the solar panel to the socket inside the house.
The system can be operated by anyone as long as it is installed since it is a matter of switching off and on. In addition to having a metre device for the user to read and know how much power has been used, the system has a lock to deter unauthorised users.
Fan observes that using the solar system is more cost-effective compared to electricity. “The money electricity companies collect from each homestead for three years is enough to pay for this solar system,†he says.
Under the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, countries are seeking innovative alternatives to give rural families efficient means to cook food and light homes. Stand-alone sources of energy, such as solar, wind and mini-hydro generators can help fill the gap.
Sonnens_systeme also deals in a variety of solar systems like the So-sy energy box which uses solar energy to generate power. It can be used to charge cameras, phones and laptops or computers. It also has a socket for lighting.
“Your office work should not be on a standstill because you are upcountry where there is no power. Invest in a So-sy energy box to help you charge your laptop,†Fan advises.
It is portable and can fit anywhere in your vehicles. It is about the same size as a five-litre Jerrycan.
SOLAR electricity has changed the life of 35-year-old teacher Caroline Namutyaba, who lives in Ngaronkalu, Luwero district. Namutyaba is one of the beneficiaries of Sonnen_systeme project which aims at connecting rural homes to solar energy.
She can now easily go through the pile of books stacked on her table without the worry of darkness putting an end to her work. “My eyes always hurt and my head ached due to fumes from the candle. Imagine trying to go through a hundred exercise books with poor lighting and smoke. The alternative was to mark assignments before sunset,†she says.
Many African countries are blessed with sunlight all year round and are tapping this free and clean energy source to light up homes, especially in rural areas.
Electrifying rural areas poses unique challenges for African governments. Unlike homes in urban areas, it is costly to connect rural homes to the national electricity grid since they are scattered.
The country project manager of Sonnen_systeme, Samuel Fan, says they distribute modern solar systems that suit various conditions in Uganda to both small and big homes.
The systems comprise a socket for solar and a socket for electricity. It is a matter of connecting the electric cables to the solar system.
The system can work as a stand-by power solution. If it is connected and the power goes off, the solar comes on automatically.
“Our products are not only for rural areas but even people in urban areas can use them since the system can work concurrently,†says Fan.
He says the system, which is produced in four different sizes of 2400, 1300, 600 and 300 watts is a complete and ready to use product.
“You don’t need to move from one shop to another looking for solar products to connect your home. This system is packaged in one cabin ready for installation,†Fan says.
The system is manufactured and tested by professionals from Germany. It comes with a cable of 50 metres used to connect the solar panel to the socket inside the house.
The system can be operated by anyone as long as it is installed since it is a matter of switching off and on. In addition to having a metre device for the user to read and know how much power has been used, the system has a lock to deter unauthorised users.
Fan observes that using the solar system is more cost-effective compared to electricity. “The money electricity companies collect from each homestead for three years is enough to pay for this solar system,†he says.
Under the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, countries are seeking innovative alternatives to give rural families efficient means to cook food and light homes. Stand-alone sources of energy, such as solar, wind and mini-hydro generators can help fill the gap.
Sonnens_systeme also deals in a variety of solar systems like the So-sy energy box which uses solar energy to generate power. It can be used to charge cameras, phones and laptops or computers. It also has a socket for lighting.
“Your office work should not be on a standstill because you are upcountry where there is no power. Invest in a So-sy energy box to help you charge your laptop,†Fan advises.
It is portable and can fit anywhere in your vehicles. It is about the same size as a five-litre Jerrycan.