Planning ahead: going solar
As seen and experienced during the previous years, the loadshedding of electricity has not been successful and the consumption of electricity is not reduced by the method of frequent interruptions.
The steps required to be taken to cut down the load of electricity are already in the knowledge of many. The other day I saw an advertisement by Enercon of going green by using light emitting diode (LED) lights.
Our engineers in industries and professors in universities of Pakistan are doing some great researches in spite of having no backing at all from the government or any organisation. They are working for the betterment of people and unlike imported solutions, they give after-sale services for their products.
Some ill experiences with quacks should not mar the reputation of Pakistani scientists and innovators.
It would be much better if Enercon and the ministry of water and power take measures for reducing the cost of LED lights which are being manufactured in Pakistan by local engineers. The steps could range from minima-like exemption of all taxes for local manufacturers of Go Green Projects to a bigger national forum providing incentives to all opting to go green by using locally-manufactured standard quality product.
The eventual and most effective step is to utilise solar power available to us; Pakistan enjoys the longest summer or rather sun life of the world.
We must take all possible steps to go for solar systems from electric generation to heating. The government should back Pakistani scientists and engineers who are working for solar projects instead of finding extremely expensive imported solutions. It’s time we came out of the imported complex and felt pride in using standard quality Pakistan-made products.
We can take the example of Australia where even using solar power is financially supported by the government for first-time installation. Also, it was amazing for me to know the fact that house owners producing solar power (privately) have the option to connect to the national grid; the surplus solar power goes to the main electricity line and for that the electricity units used by that house are reimbursed accordingly.
During summers, power outage is the main problem and during winters we face the same situation for natural gas. The sun is again there to help us.
Solar water-heaters of various brands and designs are already being used by several people but now flat-bed water-heaters have hit the market, and are believed to be more efficient. If manufacturing conditions are made favourable for Pakistan’s engineers and industries, all the power outage can be harnessed by the blessings of the most supreme power. The only condition is the belief.
MRS S. IRFAN
Rawalpindi
The writer states, “We can take the example of Australia where even using solar power is financially supported by the government for first-time installation. Also, it was amazing for me to know the fact that house owners producing solar power (privately) have the option to connect to the national grid; the surplus solar power goes to the main electricity line and for that the electricity units used by that house are reimbursed accordingly.”
Well knowing Australia very well, I know, the support of the solar panels, being installed anew has been withdrawn now, for sometime – your information is correct, but not current or relevant. Australian government withdrew the subsidy, considering it too much of a burden on the tax-payers. Too expensive? even for a rich country, like Australia? Just think, how expensive it would be for a poor country like Pakistan. It will definitely benefit some billionaires/millionaires, but the majority of the citizens, would be loosers, made to pay in taxes, the subsidy given to some of the rich.
Mrs. Irfan is mentioning something which only the rich people can afford and for which she is asking for Government help and Tax benefits for the manufacturers. This solar powered water heaters or any other solar powered product is out of reach of poor person or even a common middle man. Why not find other ways of electricity generation such as installing Wind Mills , new Hydro or Nuclear Power generating plants ? Why government is not trying to stop the electricity theft and above all its misuse by the Bureaucrats and the political leaders ?
We have to locate the root of the problems and then find a solution. I fully support our Engineers, scientists, teachers, professors and the researchers for what they are trying to achieve but in the mean time the Government should play a positive role in finding the solution of the problems faced by the majority of the population.
I strongly believe in the talents of our people and specially the new GENERATION.
GOD BLESS PAKISTAN. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.
. Mrs Irfan proposed that govt to backup engineers involved in the manufacturing of LED in the form of tax exemption etc . Same exemption may also be awarded to the manufacturers of Solar Panels in Pakistan as this would give boost in the generation of energy direly needed by our country men. I hope govt will definitely look into this as well.
What happened to the water car?
It got drowned in the last flood, along with the inventor -;)
A very sensible and timely reminder. Will policy makers respond to our needs?