A sunny future

Nilma DOLE

Picking up the receiver of his CDMA phone, A R Jayalath Samarasinghe answered my call from a rural village called Jayapaha Rajanganaye (10 kilometres from Thambuttegama) that isn't connected to the national grid.

He says, "Life is better with solar power because not only do I have electricity in my house but it is good that we aren't exhausting Mother Nature's resources by burning fossil fuels". He said that instead of using kerosene lamps that are a health hazard, he doesn't have to pay a monthly electricity bill which has saved him a lot of money, thanks to solar energy.

Energy requirements

Recently, Minister of Power and Energy John Seneviratne said, "As far as our energy requirements are concerned, there is an over-dependence on thermal power. It has now become imperative for us to search for alternative energy sources."

Prof I M Dharmadasa of Sheffield Hallam University UK and vice president of the Association of Professional Sri Lankans in the UK brainstormed the idea of a 'Solar Village' where remote villages use solar power to uplift their standard of living. He said, "My vision is that Sri Lanka should move towards a 'Renewable Energy Islands' to be energy independent in the future because if we heavily depend on imported fossil fuel, we will never prosper." He said that we must act now and take the right decisions to use our indigenous resources, for sustainable development. Speaking about the Government's interest to highlight solar energy he said, "We had fruitful discussions with the Environment Minister Champika Ranawaka to create 'Green Villages' around the country." At present, there are 15 solar energy companies operating in Sri Lanka which is beneficial as they offer employment. "In recent European solar energy conferences, Sri Lanka has been identified as the 'Hotspot of Solar Energy Applications' with the potential to build project Sri Lanka as an attractive Eco Tourist Centre," said Prof Dharmadasa.

The professor, who is an expert on solar energy conversion also submitted a proposal titled the 'Solar Habitat Programme' to the Energy and Power Ministry done in partnership with the Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Authority, Dr. Krishan Deheragoda. Speaking to the Daily News, Dr. Krishan Deheragoda said that with advances and research of solar technology, it is possible to think of connecting Sri Lanka to a large-scale solar energy grid. The Chairman said, "The Government has taken the first step by facilitating a solar village in Madulla, Moneragala district sponsored by the TATA corporation in India to power 300 houses". He added, "Under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's vision to give electricity to the whole country by 2016, we have to turn to alternative energy resources as the national grid alone isn't enough to achieve this target."

Environ Energy Lanka (formerly Shell Solar renewables) is Sri Lanka's leader in providing solar solutions to the rural areas. They are responsible for bringing hope and light for thousands of those who were left in the dark. Its Deputy General Manager Arun Gamlatge said: "We are now working to give electricity to the rural schools to offer special study facilities during evenings and hope to provide electricity to the rural hospitals to function at night." He said that shops had to close after sunset as there was no electricity but with solar power, business is booming even at night.

The Government of Sri Lanka has already embraced solar power with their project to give Galle Face Green a face lift with the introduction of lampposts that are powered with solar energy which is sustainable and environment-friendly.

Solar power

They have looked towards a solar power future with the Treasury working with the World Bank facilitated by DFCC bank on a project called RERED (Renewable Energy for Rural Economic Development). The Vice President of the RERED project Kapila Subasinghe said that they have assisted more than 200,000 houses to get wired to solar power with a flexible relief loan given and assessed by three credit financial institutions and hope to give more the chance to see the light.

Today, while rural villages start finding solar power as possible their only energy option, urban areas are likely to follow suit as an alternative option for the energy crisis.

As electricity prices continue to rise, this will be the obvious choice for it's economic reasons, environment-friendly aspects and total dependability.

The benefits of 'Solar Village' projects

Prof I M Dharmadasa

The 'Solar Village' is a concept and a project designed over a long period of time while co-ordinating a DFID (Department for International Development in the UK) funded and British Council managed Higher Education Link (HE-Link) programme in the 1990s.

This was implemented to work with five local universities, and the main aims were for capacity building in solar energy research in Sri Lankan universities and promote renewable energy applications in the country. During this 10-year period, the theme was 'How to use clean energy technologies for social development and reduction of poverty'. As a result, 'CARES' (Centres for Application of Renewable Energy Sources), 'Renewable Hubs' and 'Solar Villages' were brainstormed but they all have the same purpose. Fossil fuel did wonders for the development of the world over the past two centuries. However, fossil fuel developed only two thirds of the world population and one third is not even connected to power grids. The beauty of renewables is that it provides 'Energy for all'. Renewable energy will be able to develop the world hopefully wiping out most of the problems we face today. Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy is de-centralised and safe even from terrorist attacks. Hence, 'PV for Peace'", and let us work together for it.

The benefits:

* When Solar home Systems are introduced, immediate benefit of electric power to the households; replacing kerosene use resulting in improved health, removal of kerosene lamp induced fire risks, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and extending the productive hours for work and study, access to information and entertainment via TV/radio, etc.

* Empowerment of the rural community to help themselves.

* Capacity building so the community can manage the project.

* Development of the CARES (Centres for Applications of Renewable Energy Sources) revolving fund to support more solar home lighting installations and solar water pumping systems for providing clean water for drinking and drip irrigation.

* Revolving fund supporting CARES scholarship programme and the development of the school by purchasing library books for example.

* Installed systems will act as a demonstration to the area and will help solar PV business development.

* CARES centres becoming a part of the wider local, regional and later an international network, contributing to alleviation of poverty and creation of a cleaner environment.

* Sri Lanka will gain publicity and reputation through SAREP, on implementation of "solar village" pilot projects well-suited to developing countries with renewable energy applications, while developing rapidly with untapped and freely available solar energy.

I feel the sun

I like my face against the sun,
Love it if my tan becomes darker,
I like a sunny colour,
As the sun's rays are so snugly warm,
I feel like home in its company.

I see its orange red flame,
As it rises upon dusk,
Like a fireball,
Bringing hope and sustenance to the world,
I feel its glow brightening my day.

So vital in our lives,
I know why the Egyptians believed,
In the Sun God Ra,
The giver of life to all beings,
For I feel that the sun is my life. - ND