By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
In Nigeria, the major substitute for electricity does not have the needed support to stand out and compete favorably.
Despite adequate sunlight, the solar energy industry lacks funding, there by making the product expensive for many citizens to afford.
In a country where majority of its population are poor, affordable solar energy could easily replace the epileptic electricity supply which the tariff keeps skyrocketing beyond the reach of the common man.
Currently, NASENI Solar Energy Limited (NSEL), is the only agency of government charged with the responsibility of solar production. But despite floating it in 2013 to ensure solar energy production, the agency lacks the necessary funding needed to make it standout.
Speaking recently to our reporter, Managing Director/Chief Executive, NASENI Solar Energy Limited (NSEL), Engr. Jafaru O. Mahmud, said the agency is in need of investment to meet the yearnings of the people and solve electricity problem in the country.
“This outfit was established to address electricity problems in the country. The government wanted an agency that could conduct research and produce the best while attracting investors in to the country.
“The idea was to ensure that our country join other countries which are benefiting a lot by powering solar in their houses and businesses.
“Initially, there was ignorance about what solar was. We embarked on sensitization to let people know the importance of solar and how we can use sunlight to our benefit.
“We took out campaigns to reach out to Nigerians and created effective awareness. As it stands, solar is expensive and patronage is an issue. Raw materials are expensive because we import solar cells. But if we can do it locally, we can crash prices and improve affordability.
“We need a lot of investment to improve patronage of the product and crash the price. Investment in Rand D is necessary to compete favorably with other producers.
“We can produce most of these materials locally but we need a lot of investment in the sector.
“We need sustainable energy so that we won’t rely on NEPA. if we are able to improve what we have, Nigerians won’t be suffering from challenges of light for businesses.
“We are confident that our products are certified by SON. Aside that, we have internal mechanisms to ensure our standard.
“If we have a lot of wavers for some of the raw materials, we can crash the price. We want to generate solar cells and not solar PVs. We have a lot of materials locally and with proper investment, we can get most of the materials locally and produce them. Also, investment in areas of mining can also help us to get silica, which is a type of sand that is central to solar production.
He added that training and retraining of staff is important to build capacity.
“Corona affected us and we were to send engineeers for training abroad.”
Speaking further, he said, NSEL is currently expanding her solar PV module production capacity from 7.5MW/annum single shift to 22MW/annum single shift with the installation of new and higher capacity state-of-the-art Solar
Panel production machinery.
He added that, NSEL has since 2013 executed Solar PV Power System installation projects for offices, residences including over 1,200 stands of Solar Powered Standalone Streetlights, Solar Powered Water Borehole projects, solar power trainings across the country.
“Already, NSEL produces high quality solar panels of 20W, 40W 80W, 175W, 190W, 200W, 250W, 270W and after the expansion will include 300W and above. Also, NSEL has in the last 1 year increased her solar power installation projects capacity from 850kW to over 1MW executed in across the 6 Geopolitical Zones of the country.
“NSEL has contributed to research which leads to products especially in the areas of solar power solutions: design, development, production and obtained Patents/Intellectual Property Rights of Solar products such as: Solar Powered Control System (Patented), Plug ‘n Play Solar Home System (Patented), Solar Powered Event Generator (Patented),
Apparatus and Methods for Solar Power Trainer (Patented) and Solar Powered Internet Enabled Backpack (Copyrighted, patent in progress).
“Similarly, NSEL has developed, produced and deployed a Solar Powered Rural School Based reading light charging Systems in collaboration with FUNTAJ International School which are currently being used in some FCT rural Schools in Kuje Area Council, Abuja.
“It is with humility that I want to say that all the projects executed by NSEL are still in operation efficiently.
“In view of the above Mr. President Sir, I wish to reiterate our prayers as follows: That you consider NSEL as first choice in the supply of Solar Panels for all the solar related projects at NSE as well as installation of Solar Power Systems.
“Engage NSEL in training and retraining of members of NSE on solar power systems. Facilitate collaborations among NSEL and other Engineering firms and NSE in the area of patronage of our products and services.”
Also speaking, Head of Research, Engr. Mustapha S. Ajibola, said the agency has produced some of the best solar panels in the world.
“We have compared our products with some of the best countries, and I can categorically tell you that we are doing very well and joining the league of some of the best countries in the world.
On his part, Engineer Onwubabo Sabo calls for training and retraining to improve technical know how of production staff with modern technology to improve production.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
