Solar Power works exceptionally well in areas where there is a lot of sun! This may seem obvious but over the years solar power has received some negative press about its inefficiency. While this may be true in some parts of the World; in areas like Kajiado County rarely is there a day when the sun does not shine. With escalating fuel and mains electricity prices as well as a poor network of accessibility solar power is the obvious choice.
Loti is pretty excited to swap his small solar lantern for a proper solar power system in his home in Meserani, Tanzania
Environmentally friendly
The sun shines 365 days a year…Well mostly. There are very few days a year when the sun does not appear for a few hours. To harvest this energy and transform it into usable, clean sustainable energy makes perfect sense. Solar Power is environmentally friendly!
Relatively affordable
The reality is most families in rural areas cannot afford to be connected to mains power. The connection fee alone in Kenya costs over USD$800 and then there are monthly bills to service. When most families still live on USD$1 – USD$2 per day having electricity is nothing more than a dream.
Solar power is an option, a system providing enough power to electrify a typical rural household does not cost much more than the mains power connection fee and 1 year’s electricity supply however this system has a life span of between 4-6 years, possibly longer. Meaning this is clean sustainable energy with a long life span.
Sustainable
As technology advances the cost of producing solar power has reduced immensely over the years; solar power products last longer than ever before making them a clean sustainable energy option.
Students working on Napenda Solar Community in rural Kenya – a long term sustainable alternative energy solution
Easy to install and maintain
A very simple custom designed solar system consisting of solar panel, open solar battery and charge controller is easy to install. With the charge controller set to cut the power when the batteries reach 50% ensures longevity. Maintenance is minimal requiring occasional cleaning of the solar panels and topping up the battery once a month with battery water.
Long life span
Most solar panels have a life span of 20-25 years, solar batteries tend to weaken after 4-5 years, charge controllers tend to have a lifespan of approximately 20 years. Therefore, even if the solar system is not functioning as effectively after 4-6 years it is highly likely that only parts of the system will need replacing rather than the entire system.
Thiemo from Napenda Solar Community explains to the elders in Kajiado County how the solar power system works in homes
Possible to extend
Solar power systems are easily expanded if a household needs additional power simply by adding additional solar panels, batteries and possibly an inverter. Clean sustainable energy that does not require replacing all the components should the system be extended.
Mobile
Solar power systems can easily be moved should a family relocate. Within a few hours the system can be dismantled and reassembled in its new location.
For more information email solar@africaexpeditionsupport.com
