Namibia - investing in green energy

An investment in green energy not only means more money in the pockets of Namibians, but also that people are more environmentally friendly and are investing in the future of their country - one where the sun is an inexhaustible source of strength. The use of solar panels and energy-saving light bulbs ( LED bulbs) in Namibia is "incredibly important", says Wynand Steenkamp, owner of Inova General Distributors in Windhoek, a company offering a wide range of green power products nationwide. By installing solar panels, a homeowner can get a return on his investment from day one, through what he saves on his electricity bill. "Compare that with the proceeds of any other investment instrument," says Steenkamp. Fitting your home with solar panels should actually not cost you an arm and a leg. Despite the stormy exchange rate, solar energy is still relatively cheap, Steenkamp says. Solar panels able to generate between four and six kilowatts will cost you between N$100 000 and N$130 000 in total. Besides the immediate difference you will notice to your power bill, solar panels will also immediately push up you house valuation, and thus increase your property investment. On top of that, it is much quieter than a diesel generator. When you decide on solar panels, there are two options: those that allow you to stay connected to the municipality's electricity grid, and those that are off-grid. The latter is suitable for farmers and by nature will cost more. Solar panels on a farm also requires batteries in which the power generated during the day can be stored. In contrast, solar panels used in Windhoek and other towns use the municipal electricity grid as a battery bank, which a linked home can use to draw power when needed. Steenkamp says green energy is increasingly gaining field among Namibians. He always compares trends in Europe and other developed countries with how fast these drift to Namibia as a monitor of progress. Usually a fad that has taken root abroad only reaches Namibia between six months and a year later, Steenkamp says. He says the rate at which the popularity of green energy has grown locally is much faster than was expected. This, he says, applies not only to individuals but also to the business sector. Low maintenance is another factor that counts in favour of solar panels. "Dusty panels simply get rinsed by the rain,” says Steenkamp. His equipment is obtained from China. For that country's innovative technology with regard to green energy, he has nothing but praise. Steenkamp says he twice annually participates in exhibitions on environmentally friendly energy in China. "I go there to take my blinders off," he says . His experience with the Chinese, he says, has taught him that they are predominantly honest businesspeople, for whom their word is their honour. "If there is a problem, they will often have it fixed without hesitation." It is of utmost importance to his business to keep up with the latest technology, and this he gets from the Chinese, he says.