Lack of awareness has been causing immense damage to the in-built potential of solar energy. But systems installed in the schools and hospitals that benefit community in a larger way can be the pointer that solar energy can be the second option after hydro, geothermal and wind power in Ethiopia.

Sooner or later government will look at its potential sociological aspect then we can expect big investment from them for the substantial project, said the Vice President of Sahay Solar Initiative, Germany, Mr Guluma Megersa.

Mr Guluma, who had been to Arba Minch University giving orientation to Electrical and Computer Engineering students in solar energy, spoke on the wide range of issues pertaining to Solar Energy scenario in Ethiopia and underlying potential in Arba Minch.

When asked what prompted him to opt this field, he said, ‘‘Seeing the bleak power scenario in Ethiopia, I thought solar energy could be the best option, which can be used where there is dearth of electricity. And energy sector needs knowledge transfer, which I feel connects me to the common man.’’

Presenting his perspective further, he said, ‘‘As of now solar energy is not that much used but there are proposals on the cards that government is aiming to install projects across the nation in collaboration with neighboring nations apart from exporting energy for the local people.

Debunking the myth that Ethiopia can’t have big solar projects, he said, ‘‘The biggest challenge is initial investment which is too high. But if you calculate the staggering amount earmarked whole year in wood and fossil fuels then sum required for solar energy is quite low.

Despite the existing challenges ahead in energy sector, Ethiopia wants to be the role model for the sustainable development and to increase the renewal energy generation hydro, wind and also geothermal and solar energy.

And energy produced can be supplied to the rural areas not connected to the national grid; so solar energy can be the best solution to illuminate 80 percent of the rural regions in the nation, he maintained.

Analyzing the incomparable scenario between Germany and Ethiopia, Guluma said, ‘‘There is great gaping gap between Germany and Ethiopia; while Germany has 30 Giga Watt installed capacity against Ethiopian meager 5 Mega Watts, though the sun radiation is double in Ethiopia.’’

Arba Minch has high radiation potential that is absolutely fertile region to produce energy on big scale. Solar energy can stabilize the actual grid; reduce voltage variation or fluctuation in the National Grid. The power black-out caused due to too much load and variation can be reduced by the decentralized generating units, he averred.

Unraveling the possibility of wider collaboration with AMU, he said, ‘‘Sahay Solar Initiative has played the role of a catalyst that has brought both AMU and University of Applied Science Neu Ulm, Germany together for capacity building project - Applied Entrepreneurship Education Program (AEEP).

We are supporting the project management by offering our local network. Some of the villages electrified by us can be the role model for this project. We are also giving lessons, workshops in summer school at AMU and in Germany, when faculty members from AMU will come to Germany.

On grey areas in AMU, he said, ‘‘They need to upgrade technological background needed for the implementation and creation of new project by using solar energy for example mini grid, hybrid grid with different topologies.

Mr Guluma is Master in Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency from Kassel University, Germany. He hails from Debre Zeit, Oromia region and living in Germany for the last 19 years.

By Philips Joseph