The prediction is scary. In 50 years, some experts have said, the country’s oil reserve will dry up. Can anything be done to remedy the situation? Yes, says Managing Director, Sovereign Solar Energy Ltd, Dr Felix El-Schaeddhaei, in this interview with TOBA AGBOOLA. He advises that Nigeria to pay more attention to renewable energy, saying solar energy has the capacity to solve Nigeria’s power problem.
Do you think solar energy can solve power challenges in the country?
Sure, it will. The power problem is borne out of the shortsightedness of policy makers. Without vision the people suffer. The government should promote and fund the development of solar industry in Nigeria.
The demand on the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), domestically, publicly and industrially, is so huge that it needs to triple its capacity to meet up. With the development of an alternative energy sector, residential and public energy consumption can be eliminated thus increasing energy at the disposal of industries for economic growth.
Public places, offices, streetlights, agricultural settlements, poultry farms and residences can all be solar-powered thus leaving manufacturing industries to have the much-needed power to run their plants.
Spain is one of the most advanced countries in the development of solar energy, and one of the European countries with the most hours of sunshine. In 2008, the Spanish government committed to achieving a target of 12 per cent of energy from renewable energy by 2010 and by 2020 expects the installed solar generating capacity of 10,000 megawatts (MW). Total solar power in Spain was 3.859 GW by the end of 2010 and solar energy produced 6.9 terawatt-hours (TW·h), covering 2.7 per cent of the electricity demand in 2010. By the end of 2011, 4.214 GW had been installed, and that year, 7.912 TWh of electricity was produced.
Through a ministerial ruling in March 2004, the Spanish government removed economic barriers to the connection of renewable energy technologies to the electricity grid. The Royal Decree 436/2004 equalised conditions for large-scale solar thermal and photovoltaic plants and guaranteed feed-in tariff. This singular act promoted solar development and application nationwide.
With adequate public enlightenment and education, Nigeria can make its energy problems history.
For instance, the privatisation by the Federal Government is a welcome development. However, this alone cannot alleviate the power problem facing Nigeria. There is need for all facets of the sector to embrace adequate planning, setting of achievable targets, investment in alternative sources of energy, and accountability.
Are Nigerians responsive to solar energy adoption?
Most Nigerians don’t understand the concept of using the sun to generate electricity. We at Sovereign Solar Energy Power are working to create public awareness of the technology and how it can be easily deployed to the populace.
We are willing to delve into the private sector; we want to address that lack of confidence in people when it comes to solar power. I have talked to a number of people who said that solar does’t work in Lagos, but the truth of the matter is that the amount of sunlight emanating from Nigeria is greater than what Germany and the United States have.
Germany is the leading country when it comes to solar usage, so there is no reason solar cannot work in Nigeria. It is all about proper implementation to ensure that it works in different localities in the country.
Can it be used by big industries?
Of course! By Febuary 22, last year, the Chattanooga Airport had saved 90,000 kilowatt-hours of power since installing a 4.5-acre solar farm in December 2011. Spain is producing solar power in terawatt-hours and we have the Sahara Desert with enormous solar resources wasting away everyday. We have more than enough solar power resources to power all our industries if fossil fuel energy source fails.
The earlier we embark on renewable energy development in Nigeria, the better the chances of our rapid economic advancement.
What can be done to encourage the adoption of solar technology?
First, we need to understand that solar can work in Nigeria. I have heard from a lot of people that solar power cannot work in some states.We are blessed with more sunlight than leading solar user countries. Having clarified that as a technology in its infancy, adequate awareness/education is key in encouraging solar adoption.
Many people either haven’t heard of solar or are not convinced of its potential. Some see the huge capital investment cost as a major deterrent, but proper education, including fact-based report, such as cost benefits analysis will go a long way in combating such fear.
Does government have any role to play in this regard?
It is the major player.The government needs to create incentive/subsidy package to encourage the early players in the industry. This could be in form of solar import tax rebates, net metering packages, etc.
What are your challenges in doing business in Nigeria?
Nigerians are generally scared of change. To achieve change, we have to give up a lot of things. For instance, it has been hard convincing people to ditch their generating sets for a hazard-free hybrid system. In our line of business, it is a continual process educating the people on the advantages of a green economy. Patience has been our key word as we continually strive to light up Nigeria.
Are you facing challenges at all?
Our major challenge is subsidy from the government because solar technology is very expensive as much as its products.Although the price of solar panel is dropping, we hope it drops to the level of one dollar per watt, then we will surely compete favourably with the power generated by other means.
Another problem is that we don’t have a single company producing batteries in Nigeria. All the solar batteries are imported, so we need a company producing battery so that the cost will be reduced.
In other countries, solar is subsidised by the government, but here there is no form of subsidy, the end user pays for everything and that’s why it is expensive. Just like petroleum subsidy, there should also be subsidy for solar, which is even more environmental friendly. It doesn’t have any form of environmental pollution. Its only impact is that it covers space. Maybe the space that would have been used for agriculture is now used for solar lighting or to fix solar panels. If we want to address that issue, we will find out that there are lots of virgin land not used for agriculture; such land can be used.
How cost-effective is it?
I have had people coming in to make enquiries. At that time, some of our portable 500W solar generators were selling for N90,000. A particular gentleman said he would rather stick to his “I better pass my neighbour”generator because it only costs him a mere N300 fuel to run each day. When I analysed for him that he is spending an average of N9,000 per month and that he would have spent N90,000 worth of fuel in 10 months, he bought the solar generator – seeing that he would save a lot of money in the long run.
The same applies to larger solar systems for homes and public places. The initial outlay may appear enormous, but huge savings will be realised for many years thereafter, justifying the investment in the first place.
What is the lifespan?
The average lifespan of the solar system is 20 to 25 years, however, the batteries’ efficient life is usually three to five years when they are due for renewal.
When there is no light, how does it work?
In majority of cases, the solar system will continue to provide power from its energy store for an average of three days. However, because the efficiency of newly developed thin film silicon cells used in building solar panels is high, it has the capability to start harnessing power from the sun at day break without direct sunshine.
A combination of factors, for example, the intensity of rays of the sun, the panel’s wattage size and efficiency, the inverter and regulator efficacy and adequacy of battery bank will determine how long the system will work assuming there is total darkness.
How much maintenance does one need?
All things being equal, the system is maintenance free over its life expectancy of 20-25 years with the exception of course, the battery bank, which needs renewing within three to five years.
Where do you see Nigeria in the next 10 years as regards solar power?
Where Nigeria will be depends on a number of factors which include: successive government policy vis-à-vis renewable energy; how much public awareness is created in relation to renewable energy; individuals and organisations’ drive to find alternative energy source in solar power; price of the component parts of solar system and the state of the economy
What is solar power and why is it efficient?
A photovoltaic panel (or solar panel) is a packaged interconnected assembly of photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells. They are used as components in a larger solar system to provide electricity for civil, commercial and residential applications. The solar system harnesses energy from the sun, and converts it into energy that can be used for multiple practical applications.
Solar technology provides environmental and social advantages over other energy sources. Some of the advantages are low energy costs. The sun provides solar radiation for free. It has low maintenance: Fewer moveable parts means fewer parts can break. No emissions. Solar lighting does not contribute to global warming. Besides, solar solutions continue working even if there is power cut.
Can you tell us about your products and how they are doing in the market?
Our solar products are designed and constantly redesigned with end-consumers such as individuals, domestic, community, commercial and public in mind. This is reflected in the variety of products developed over the years – from solar key-ring flashlight, to all-in-one solar streetlight, solar generator and solar home systems to mention a few.
We are sensitive to the need for constant power supply if meaningful economic development and growth are to be achieved by individuals, entrepreneurs, society and the nation.
We acknowledge that power supply on the African continent is grossly inadequate. This invariably affects every aspect of human endeavour and development – private, public, commerce and industry.
Our policy decision to establish our first African outlet in Nigeria was based on huge economic resource potential available that will be enhanced by renewable energy supply.
We have carried out remote installations in Nyanya in the outskirts of Abuja as well as home installations in Lagos (Maryland), Nasarawa State (Karu Court, Mararaba) and in Ibadan (Ologuneru area), Oyo State.
Is Nigeria ripe for this technology?
The bane of the nation’s economic advancement is deficiency and inefficiency in power generation and distribution.This is a nation wallowing in poverty in the midst of plenty.
Nigeria is blessed with huge natural and human resources in the energy sector and scientific field. No nation will ever be described as ripe for technological growth.
Technological advancement for any nation is synonymous to a child learning to sit, crawl, stand, taking the first steps and becoming unstoppable in walking and running.
It is not a question of whether or not Nigeria is ripe for solar energy technology, but a question of resource recognition, development and management. The most important aspect of the solar energy technology is the sun, which is a major player and raw material. Nigeria has no excuse since at the dawn of each day, the creator has covenanted that solar energy be made available unhindered. All that is left for our policy makers is to make available the component parts by promoting their localised productions. Nigeria needs to start from somewhere; somehow, otherwise she will never be ready for solar technological development. The starting-point will be hands-on research projects working in co-operation with technologically advanced nations, such as USA, India, China or South Korea.
The Federal Government has to key into the advancements made in solar energy. This will enable the government to provide cost-effective rural electrification with positive environmental impacts.
Although Nigeria needs adequate supply of energy to drive its economy and power its domestic, economic, technological and social sectors, it has been difficult to meet the energy needs of the citizenry by successive governments.
Nigeria is blessed with a variety of energy sources in abundance. It has fossil energy, such as crude oil, natural gas and coal, and renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, biomass, biogas, and so on. Nigeria’s oil reserve is predicted to be exhausted before the next 50 years, thus it is imperative to pay more attention to renewable energy sources.
By using solar photovoltaic panels of only five per cent efficiency, the country could generate close to 600,000mw, from only one per cent of its land area.
Renewable energy is always available on cyclic basis, and can never be exhausted, unlike the conventional energy of oil, coal and gas.
As long as there is life in us, solar energy will always be there, everyday.When the sun comes up, solar energy is available.We also have wind as a renewable energy. Wind arises as a result of extra-terrestrial solar heating of the air masses in the extra-terrestrial space; leading to pressure differences, manifesting in the flow of air.
We can also tap significant amount of energy from wind. Hydropower is also available from cyclic activities of the rainy reason. Rivers are there and we can tap. We also have biomass – biofuels; they are all part of renewable energy. They are always available on cyclic basis.
If we can learn from Germany and Japan and tailor various Nigerian market specific programmes aimed at reducing the cost of solar power systems, we will be able to support the growth of the solar industry.
Can you tell us about your company, Sovereign Solar Energy?
Sovereign Solar Energy Technology Limited is in the business of solar system research, design and development, production, marketing, installation and maintenance services.
The company’s head office is in England with branches in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and Lagos. Our main areas of specialisation are in systems design, production and installation of street, community and residential renewable power needs. We have been engaged mainly in home systems installations and other consumable solar power products such as laptop and phone chargers, table and flashlights, lanterns, rechargeable fans and fence lamps to mention a few here in Nigeria.
The company has grown over the past five years to become a force to reckon with in the renewable energy sector in Europe. It has acquired a leading edge technology to produce user-friendly personal and domestic solar consumable products and commercial solar products with hassle-free installations.
The company has the necessary infrastructure and know-how to achieve its objectives and complete its projects ahead of schedule in most cases while maintaining high standards of quality control as its benchmark.
The company was established to alleviate problems in two fronts – environment – to do our bit in reducing global warming, and to contribute to accelerated economic advancement through regular power supply.
We are committed to providing power to whosoever may be in need of it – school pupils and students ( for their home-work/assignment) farmers in the remote locations where there is no form of power supply as well as small entrepreneurs.
