Quick Summary
Who doesn’t love benefits coupled with efficiency in business? Even when it is just to save an extra coin especially during this COVID-19 period! Many businesses are currently looking for ways of reducing costs. Solar Power is the way to go. Merits of solar power covered include:
- Reliable
- Sustainable
- Safe
- Affordable
- Environmentally friendly
ARTICLE
Why go the Solar Power way?
Solar energy is arguably the most sustainable and cost-effective of available power-producing modern technologies. Properly planned and installed solar systems can potentially provide long-term, non-polluting energy to any home or business. It is therefore a highly supportable and practical go-to solution, as well as being affordable and environmentally friendly.
Let’s think local for a minute. Load lightening has become an inevitable reality for businesses throughout East Africa. As a result, we are fast realizing that the hydro-powered grid we use today is not equipped for a sustainable future. Unreliability and unpredictability of power supply, the damage power surges do to equipment and appliances, loss of productivity, as well as rising costs of on-grid electricity means we need to start re-imagining how we can guarantee the efficacy of our businesses. In addition, coal and nuclear power plants present serious environmental concerns.
On the other hand, solar modules are one of the greatest resources available to fight climate change. Solar energy creates clean, renewable power from the sun resulting in many environmental benefits. Alternatives to fossil fuels reduce our carbon footprint and greenhouse gases around the globe. By releasing fewer pollutants in the air, solar energy is one of the ways we can slow down global warming. They are not contaminating, the modules can be recycled, solar is renewable and inexhaustible, and every kWh of energy produced is a kWh not generated in contaminating power plants.
Governments and renewables
Over the last few weeks, Governments have taken, strong decisive actions on Covid-19 in order to stop it in its tracks. This is great, as nobody wants heavy-handed state intervention in order to tackle climate change, government and local authorities can, and should, do more. If businesses are less inclined to invest in renewables due to economic uncertainty, green options should be incentivized and subsidized. Authorities should lead by example, embracing renewables for their facilities, and encouraging it among the public sector. Renewables in Africa (RiA) is proud to add to the expansion of solar energy on a global scale, and making it easy for businesses to make a positive environmental impact by going solar.
Walking the path
PV installations and customized energy solutions are crucial for those whose businesses will not withstand the disturbances of an unreliable energy supply. RiA is happy to be at the forefront of creating solar solutions a reality. We evaluate the needs of your business and provide a bespoke, customized solution to your energy needs. Operating, maintaining and monitoring these unique-to-sector systems is central to what we do, walking beside you along the path of sustainability and providing cost-effective renewable energy. RiA guides you through the process of making this adjustment, financially to operations, allowing you to find in-dependency and a robust, distributed grid which does not just take away the frustrations of being hindered by unreliable power, but adds incredible value to your business.
Reducing the load
As various local institutions across Africa continue to implement load lightening, we become more and more used to darkness and find resourceful ways to cook, shop and obtain warm water. In our homes, these compromises to our daily routine are manageable, albeit not pleasant. On the other hand, for businesses, the impact is of a much higher magnitude, with SMME’s and larger energy-intensive businesses losing thousands of Shillings/Dollars with each blackout. Solar energy offers you both a reliable source of power as well as making you feel empowered in your off-grid solution. Load lightening forces business owners into strategic planning around an unreliable power supply, and making sure productivity remains constant during the down times, however forecasting and making alternative plans has its limitations. Why live and work like this if you don’t have to?
“Solar energy enables businesses to enjoy immediate savings. You only pay for the energy you use which is cheaper than the grid. Our solar system will reduce your operating costs saving you up to 30% – 40% each month.” Monicah from Solar Africa says. She adds, “One of our projects in Nairobi, Kenya is Garden City Mall, where we’ve installed a 1.02 MWp. This translates to 28,445 bags of coal saved and 1142.856 tonnes of carbon emissions omitted.”
A consistent drop in worker productivity, sales and resultant decreased turnover are not feasible over the long term. With little to no sign of load shedding abating and with a world economic crisis looming, now, more than ever, is the time to go solar. As long as the sun keeps on shining, we need to harness its power and make it work for us, as we re-imagine and rebuild our world. Solar energy may be your key to a brighter future.
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Author:
Oluoch Were is RiA Regional Director for Kenya and East-Africa.
