Zimbabwe: How can solar energy be an alternative source of energy, 'Import rates are too high'

GOVERNMENT efforts to ensure that solar energy becomes an alternative source of energy for the majority of locals continues to be hindered by high import rates.

A solar expert told reporters that one of the major components of the solar system, the battery, was attracting high duty.

Solar Solutions Africa (SSA) managing director Mr Nyikadzino Gonese said Government had to intervene to ensure viability and achieve greater success in efforts to adopt solar energy.

"Batteries are still attracting 20 percent duty, a figure that is too high considering that it is a prerequisite on solar operation and can only be sourced from outside our borders," he said adding: "Local manufactures only sold car batteries that were not compatible with the solar systems."

Import duty on batteries was imposed by Government after the Batteries' Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) lobbied Government citing that their industry was under siege.

Motor vehicle batteries had been making their way onto the market as solar batteries.

Mr Gonese said the industry was being blamed for a "shoddy job" as car batteries shortened the lifespan of solar systems.

"Car batteries have not and will not be suitable for solar systems. The imported batteries give almost 100 percent performance," he said.

Mr Gonese added that those with old solar systems could not refurbish them as replacement of worn-out batteries meant purchasing the expensive imported batteries.

The alternative, he said, was resorting to car batteries that on solar systems became cheap and inefficient.

The use of solar as an alternative gathered momentum in the 90s culminating in the the World Solar Summit.

According to solar experts, inferior products are causing the low lifespan of systems that should normally last a long time before replacement.

"Genuine solar panels should last for more than a decade as they require less maintenance and use accessories like deep cycle batteries that do not easily wear out.

"Companies should be in a position to offer at least 20-year warrants on their products," he said.

A well-engineered solar system requires no regular parts replacement. Zimbabwe has, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), embarked on a programme to increase the use of solar to lessen the burden on the national power grid.