Simsa Solar Powers Off-The-Grid
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday December 7, 2021 06:00
Managing director of Simsa Solar, Matthews Simon said they found an opportunity to bring in products that offer direct long-lasting solutions to the country’s power problems using solar. Simsa offers effective off-grid solutions that generate reliable power to minimise inconvenience at an affordable price. The products include solar pumps, boreholes, septic pumps, lights and geysers. Simon said they decided to venture into this business as they realised that solar provides an opportunity for large-scale expansion of renewable electricity generation adding that Botswana has abundant reliable sun. “Solar power is the key to a clean energy future.
Every day the sun offers more energy than we need to power everything on earth. The public should be encouraged to use solar products, especially since electricity prices are going up frequently. I long to see houses that are set up on solar,” he said. According to Simon, solar power is suitable for remote areas that are not connected to the energy grids.
He urged people to take advantage of the abundant sun that is available and use solar as the source of electricity for factories and industries. He said the frequent power shortages could be ended with the use of solar highlighting that they cater mostly for the remote areas where the BPC cannot reach.
The company is currently looking for distributors across the country in places like Jwaneng, Gantsi, Francistown, Palapye to mention a few. “Solar power is affordable, abundant and the cleanest energy source available to Botswana.
We provide power with the latest solar products that are effective and lasting,” he said. “I am not worried about competition. We have the best solar pumps and high-quality lights,” he said Meanwhile, Botswana Power Corporation launched the rooftop solar programme last year, which was developed to create an environment in which end-users can generate their own electricity and sell the excess to BPC. The programme covers household, commercial and industrial sectors. The system-wide aggregate capacity of the programme in the first 12 months is capped at 10MW.
The programme is a suitable alternative mechanism to increase the uptake of solar energy and facilitate private sector participation. The target is to have a 15% contribution of renewable energy to the electricity mix and 100% electricity availability by 2