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Writes Elvis Dumba
Chinhoyi – The Zimbabwe Energy Regulating Authority (ZERA) has come up with plans to regulate the green energy sector through proposed Energy (Solar Products and Installation) Regulations that will ensure quality and safe solar energy production in the country in line with its rural electrification drive.
The energy regulator is currently conducting public consultations nationwide on the new proposed regulations.
“We have noticed the flooding of inferior solar products in the market with solar installations being done by unqualified personnel. This may be a risk to some extent as these products are dangerous. These regulations will create safety standards and protect the consumers so that they will get quality and guaranteed solar products,” said Eng Victor Sibanda, a Research and Energy Efficiency Engineer.
“We need to regulate solar energy for generating power and thermal heating so we have solar products that conform to set standards as we move to green energy,” he said.
The regulations will help monitor the sector as well as the quality of imported solar products being offered on the market.
“We need to know that the products we are getting on the market are genuine and with safety warranty so people won’t be short-changed and our solar energy is safe for individuals and properties,” he said.
Currently, anyone can sell or install solar energy products.
During a stakeholder consultation meeting in Chinhoyi that was attended by various stakeholders, Engineer Trust Sauramba from the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) said the new regulations should not affect the country’s rural electrification drive by pushing up the cost of solar energy.
“As much we need to regulate the sector, we need to come up with regulations that will positively regulate the sector to ensure that the products remain affordable as we continue with the country’s drive towards rural electrification,” he said.
Engineer Sibanda said under the proposed regulations, solar and electrical installations should be done by qualified professionals with electrical inspections also done by qualified personnel. Currently, the country gets at least eight cases of electrical accidents with one person dying every month through electricity accidents related to connections on fowl runs as some unqualified people have been involved in power products installations.
The energy regulator has also proposed amendments to the current electricity safety and split metering regulations.
Among other proposed regulations will be monitoring site visits to solar energy products retailers and quality examination on the country’s point of entry and ensuring only accredited and qualified personnel will be allowed to install solar energy products.