[BLOG] Solar power: the light of Africa

Africa has for decades been struggling to ensure that every homestead is connected with electricity. Due to lack of enough energy, the region has been slapped by insufficient development and poverty.

However, with the entrance of solar power technology in the energy sector, Africa is now in a position to increase its energy generation as well supply homesteads with enough electricity. The new energy trend has seen many African countries coming up with solar power plants which are now boosting the energy sector.

Kenya is among top African countries which in the last three years has been investing in solar power technology. According to Jesse Moore, Managing Director and Co-Founder of M-KOPA Solar, a key player in Kenya’s solar sector, solar energy is a revolution in the country and also in the wide Africa energy sector. The new solar products provide clean, healthy and renewable energy and can be accessed in low income homes.

With the solar power energy, it is now possible for businesses to stay open longer, school children do their homework, families socialize, people charge their mobile devices and reduce health and safety issues which are related to Kerosene.

Although the solar technology was established in Africa in the 1980s, only 25% of the region is covered with Grid power while the rest remains untapped. The major areas where this technology has been implemented include: education systems which have been creating awareness on alternative power and remote areas.

 

Benefits

Solar technology is one of the key energy sectors which is expected to offer energy solutions to millions of people who don’t have access to electricity. This technology comes with solar kits/ lanterns which serve the bigger African market. They are the awaited solution for high powered energy supply to factories and Institutions in the state.

Solar technology companies have paved way to job creation which covers all spheres: skilled, semi-skilled & non-skilled, resulting in better living standards from an increase in the disposable income.

This technology is a direct solution to the agriculture sector which for decades has been affected by the lack of enough water due to unavailable ideal means of distribution. The energy sector has solar machines which can be used for irrigation purposes. These products are a sign of relief to farmers who can now increase food supply to the locals & outside market.

Solar products can also be used as an alternative source of electricity, energy, and back-up power for homes, offices, commercial and industrial buildings. Another key role that solar power energy plays is lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by replacing coal-powered energy sources with clean, renewable solar PV technologies. These GHG emissions reductions will in turn improve air quality and lessen the harmful impacts that contribute to climate change.

The demand of solar energy is growing day by day and this calls for need of solar production plants for silicone panels to handle the demand at a reasonable cost.

By: Ann Kagumu
awakeafrica.org