The issue of power loadshedding in Karachi could be brought down to a major extent by introducing solar energy to light the streetlights, as this would save electricity in three major areas of the city.
Presently, the city suffers 200 to 250 MW per day electricity shortfall that could be brought down by 161 MW through introducing solar streetlights. The cosmopolitan city requires at least 2300 MW electricity per day, out of which seven percent is consumed by the streetlights.
Nice Link President S. S. Haider talking to Business Recorder commended Sindh Advisor for Alternate Energy Noman Saigol for introducing solar energy at the official level in the province.
He said that if the latest polymer solar cell technology was used, as many as one dollar per watt could be saved against the mono-crystalline technology in lighting the streetlights of the city, which consume 161 MW of electricity.
It may be mentioned here that Noman Saigol, in a press conference on July 4, said that negotiations were underway with one US-based firm, International Energy Smart Solutions, who had agreed to transfer solar energy technology to Pakistan.
Noman said that in the first phase parks and streetlights would be operated through solar energy, adding that they were also considering Information Technology awareness centres through solar energy.
Haider said the manufacturing of solar cells with polymer had revolutionised the solar energy technology, as manufacturing of cells with this material had brought the prices of solar cells up to 3.5 dollars per watt, while the prevailing price of the mono-crystalline cell was about 4.5 dollars per watt.
Regarding solar cell manufacturing, some companies of Pakistan had also declared their programme to manufacture solar cells, however, it was not yet well known that all the components and raw materials for this project were locally available, said Nice Link chief. Nice Link is a voluntary, non-profit organisation, a Trust, dedicated to the development and application of renewable/alternate sources of energy in Pakistan.
Talking to Business Recorder, Haider said it would be beneficial if a survey was conducted in this regard and relevant report was published so that the investors might understand that the venture would be economical.
"To make the project economical, it is necessary that Sindh Alternate Energy Department extend their co-operation and support to the local expertise, which has already made solar light bulbs and charge controllers along with inverters and sensors having power up to 150 watts of energy saver bulbs," he added. He said that such a project, if prudentially implemented, would help in overcoming the power crisis and generate employment in the province.