solar power in Botswana

Botswana must have more solar water heaters per head than just about any country. I don't have statistics, but the rooftop panels are ubiquitous. Botswana is a relatively poor country, but I was surprised to learn from the UNDP country factsheet that the country in 2005 had a higher GDP per capita than neighbouring South Africa, which is the economic powerhouse of sub-Saharan Africa. Botswana produces 2.4 tonnes of CO2 per person annually, which is higher than the sub-Saharan average of 1.0, but I suspect that the widespread use of solar power is not the result of policies to reduce emissions. It is more likely because many people do not have access to electricity from the national grid, and because solar water heating makes economic sense.

For the same reason, there are a number of widespread applications for photovoltaic panels, though not all of them are mainstream. I have been to Botswana a number of times, but this week was the first time I saw pv panels being used by the informal businesses that supply a privatised form of public phone - people using cell phone connections to offer a service to the public, as in the picture above.

After I saw this one in Gaborone, I kept an eye out for other pv applications. I did not see a single one on the roof of a building, but I did see one powering a true public phone on the road between Gaborone and Francistown, just south of Serowe. And on the same road, just north of Gaborone, was this cellular tower with pv panels.

What I found interesting about this one, was that when I took the picture - at the end of a hot, sunny day - a diesel generator was running at the base of the tower. Which highlights one of the key problems with high-tech solutions: if there isn't the budget and the inclination and the skills to maintain the infrastructure, the capital investment is a waste of money.

Comments

[Jakes]

The reason why Botswana is full of solar geyers, is because it's affordable there!

The typical case with the average middle class environmentalist in South Africa is that solar is too expensive to even consider. This is why I entered the solar industry myself - to solve the problem.

Solar shouldn't be so expensive, why else is Namibia and Botswana covered with solar geysers? I believe I found the answer that will help us solve the problem: Solar Companies in South Africa caters for the upper class! After speaking to the MD of the largest solar company in South Africa I was shocked. They do not want to cater for the middle class! He believes that the middle class will not respond even if prices are lowered!

I beg to differ! I provide solar products (of which a solar geyser is the most efficient) for the middle class. I do not charge too much. I do not want to make a living of one client. I want the middle class to save more electricity than what they have to spend on the solar geyser itself - while saving the planet! Your geyser uses about 50% of your electricity! Why not save money and the earth!?

My company is dedicated to serving you affordably!
Jakes (MD of EfTech)
084 512 7511
jakes@eftech.co.za
www.eftech.co.za

[john]

yeah ,i agree with you.
if there isn't the budget and the inclination and the skills to maintain the infrastructure, the capital investment is a waste of money.
hope to think well

[bathmate]

nice posting....i like it...it is really helpfull to all...

[liz van Vuuren]

Dear Sir,

Wher is you company. I have now seen 2 programs on the home chanel, Canwest. Canadian tv program. Sarahs holiday home.
There was a house like a Wendy covered in solar panels and storage for power.This was on an island with no one else there. Can you tell me more.
Regards
liz van Vuuren +27 83 517 9413

[Rory]

Liz, I don't have a company related to solar power, I just blog as an individual in Cape Town.