The solar energy development will not face any obstruction as it generates energy through sunlight. Being alternative energy source, it is sustainable as well as eco-friendly. An American political activist Ralph Nader writes- 'the use of solar energy has not opened up because the oil industry does not own the sun. 'Yes! if we use the costly diesel generators to tide over long load shedding hours, then it does make sense to use the abundant free energy from the sun.
l by Dirgha Raj Prasai
(May 02, 2012, Kathmandu, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is our common belief that creation is the need of necessity. Nepal is rich in terms of natural resources. The abundance of resources available in the country such as rivers can be used for irrigation and electricity generation for the prosperity of the nation. Our invaluable cultural and natural properties of the nation are being devalued and going to waste. For many years Nepal has faced energy crisis. It is unlikely that this problem would end soon. The administrators of our government are corrupt and have not put forward any vision in utilization of water resources to get rid of energy crisis. Although the hydro projects have been successful in many places but electricity has not been produced in time due to commission games and corruption.
The electricity produced is so expensive that we are forced to pay Rs- 10 per unit when it should have cost only Rs-3. If we are to launch a campaign against the corruption and commission mafia from the projects involved in import of materials used in electricity generation and in construction of projects, Nepalese would soon be consuming electricity in not more than Rs-3 per unit. Nepalese people are appalled that corruption clings on to other commodities of kerosene, petrol, mobile etc.
As petrol is imported from India the dealers are fleeced by Indian brokers. When it enters Nepal petrol is adulterated by brokers and thieves of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). Due to high level of corruption and such degenerating tendencies, the price of commodities has inflated victimizing the Nepalese consumers. The ministers and the government officials have sided with these corrupt brokers. No one is there to listen consumer's voice. If we are to carry out a research on money earned by the ministers of the Supply Ministry and General Directors that have served for the past decade at NOC everything will be exposed. State must nationalize the money embezzled by corrupts. It will set a precedent and discourage others from corruption in future. The Nepalese people will find huge relief if materials are directly imported to Nepal and strict rules are set against black market. If prices soar up in foreign land, of course it can be accommodated. We can have an alternative change by concentrating all forces on energy production.
Fuel oil is not produced in Nepal. However there is high probability of having resources of coal and methane gases in Nepal. Notably, there are mines in many sites of the country. We are lacking the resources to initiate investigation and research in such areas. We Nepalese are forced to purchase, regardless of the price, due to commission mafia and compulsion to import for consumption. Before 1950 many mines were revealed in Nepal to produce gold, metal, copper, iron, zinc, methane gas etc. But the English government paid then Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher to close down these mines fearing that Nepal would become economically independent. I have not been able to forget that a gold mine was found at Khokling hill in Taplejung. The excavation work was stopped during Rana period and until today it has been left neglected.
I had no experience of power cuts (load shedding) in Nepal. It is obvious that one would not be concerned of power cuts as one resides in areas where there is no electricity. Of course there was domestic arrangement for light. When power cuts were made in Kathmandu it became a crisis. Let alone reading and studying, it was difficult to cook and carry out other domestic works in darkness. It is cold in Kathmandu. It was not always possible to take bathe in hot water. Electricity rod is worthless without electricity.
When my wife- Sanubaba Prasai was working as a manager in Agricultural Bank at Tripureshwor branch, we came in contact with a team that provided a technology for heating water through solar panel. After this we were relieved of using cold water in winter. Similarly, we faced many difficulties due to power cuts. My daughter-Tista is a scientific officer at NAST. Through a person in her contact I equipped my house with solar lighting system at the cost of Rs-15,000. Now I’m relieved. I have suggested many to use this solar power. Now I have received information that if I pay a little more this solar power can be used to operate computer, watch television and draw water. However, it has become a habit of using internet, watching television and pumping water when power is on. it is not necessary to increase my cost.
Professor at Engineering Study Organization and President of Solar Energy Society Dr. Jagannath Shrestha is a research specialist. His opinion is- '302 watt electricity produced from solar energy can be used to cook a kilo of rice in 660 watt rice cooker. Although it seems that solar energy is a bit costly considering the use of electricity and gas, which are in practice, it will become cheaper with the development and expansion of solar energy system. To cook, operate computer, and to use water drawing machine and refrigerator we need solar panel to generate 130 watt electricity. In addition to this we would need two batteries of 100 ampere, inverter charger controller and other equipments. This would easily solve domestic necessity brought about by power cut. Dr. Shrestha is of the opinion that through solar energy we can generate electricity.
The solar energy development will not face any obstruction as it generates energy through sunlight. Being alternative energy source, it is sustainable as well as eco-friendly. An American political activist Ralph Nader writes- 'the use of solar energy has not opened up because the oil industry does not own the sun. 'Yes! if we use the costly diesel generators to tide over long load shedding hours, then it does make sense to use the abundant free energy from the sun.
This technology has been adapted in many houses in Nepal. If we spend NRs- 150 thosands we will obtain all facilities as provided by the Electricity Authority. Although sometimes the solar energy can shut off service provider companies have shown eagerness to solve this problem. They will provide exchange offer if any equipment is found to be faulty. NAST has established Rural Energy Experiment Center to investigate further in solar energy. In Bode of Bhaktapur a technology has been installed to draw water through use of solar energy. It is said that problems has not arisen in this new venture.
A specialist in solar energy profession Smart Power’s Babin Manandhar says, - 'Solar Plant is introduced into the market to solve the problem of darkness in low cost. Solar Plant is a hybrid. This system is based on international standard. The battery installed in Solar Plant can be charged through both the system of AC and DC and charged in short time. Our campaign is to sell original equipments. We thoroughly acquaint our customers of the technology before we sell it. We give full warranty in our equipments.'
So, the proprietors of solar energy equipments say- 'Solar Panels are provided with 25 years warranty and they operate smoothly for 25-30 years. The battery must be changed in every 4-6 years time period. The bulbs may become defunct. We would need to change such bulbs but it would not be costly. The solar bulbs can be introduced in rural and extremely rural parts of the nation. As the Solar Panel can fit easily on roof tops it is not that difficult. The solar battery that stores the solar energy is kept in a safe room'. Electronic engineer Surendra Mathema says- The great thing about solar is that it's a one-time investment, once you set it up everything is free.'
There are many solar companies operating in Nepal such as Smart Power, Nabikaraniya Urja Pvt. Ltd, Gham Power Nepal Pvt. Ltd, Saurya Urja Pvt. Ltd, Public Solar Pvt. Ltd, Clean Home Energy Nepal, Lotus Energy Saurya Pranali, Yulira Solar Energy, Dibya Urja Pvt. Ltd, Suntech Energy Pvt. Ltd, Sunlight Solar Company, Lotus Energy, Bright Energy and many others. I firmly believe that in near future solar experts will bring solar energy as alternative energy supplanting petrol in motor bikes and cars and electricity as well as to cook the food.
Geo-climate of Nepal is so favorable that we can work for 12 months a year. It is possible to cultivate all sorts of rice, vegetables and seed found around the world. Solar Energy is not only an alternative to be used during power cuts. Nepal is an agricultural nation. We can use pumps that operate through electricity for irrigation. Sunlight reaches to almost all corners of Nepal. We can produce much energy using sunlight. Through media I was apprised that Japan government had economically supported the installment of equipments to produce 680 watt solar electricity to relief from indefinite power cuts. Similarly it can be used to draw water of drinking water. Not only in Nepal, but the Solar Energy can rid the world from electricity crisis. The experts have pointed out that with NRs- 35 thosands investment we could address the fundamental problems of energy crisis. We are all victims of power cuts. We must reach in a consensus to promote the use of solar energy with proper investment and use to free ourselves from energy crisis.
The Writer can be reached at dirgharajprasai@gmail.com
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