UGANDA HAS SUN

Solar is Solution to Uganda’s energy woes
Ibrahim Kasita, 8th May 2009 (The New Vision)

"As Uganda explores fossil fuels like oil to solve her energy woes, yet they cause global warming, wealthier nations are exploiting solar power to preserve the environment.

"From household solar panels to solar heating systems, solar energy has enjoyed an explosive growth in Europe and the US, except Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa."

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"Solar power is converted into electrical power using solar panels…[Solar power] is common in those wealthier nations because of tax rebates and supportive investment policies…[F]inancial incentives motivate investors to put their money in solar technology.

"…[O]nly 5% of Uganda’s 31 million people have electricity…Although Uganda has plenty of sunshine, it is facing an acute energy crisis, yet cold places like Berlin in Germany utilise solar power…[S]olar power [can be] easy to install and cheap because it is not affected by the supply and demand of fuel…"

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"Since reduction of carbon-dioxide emissions is a critical issue, solar energy can help since it is clean, renewable and sustainable…[and it] can be operated in remote rural areas without connection to a power grid…

"However, the supply of solar power can fluctuate depending on the amount of sunshine…Also, solar panels are still expensive for most consumers in third world countries like Uganda…This means the majority of Ugandans, who live on less than $2 a day, cannot afford solar panels…"

The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is doing important solar energy development work in African nations. (click to enlarge)