Zera crafts regulations for solar energy sector
THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) says a comprehensive regulatory framework is being developed to address the rapidly growing solar energy sector, which is largely unregulated and poses challenges for the industry.
The proposed regulations, titled: “Energy (Solar Products and Installation) Regulations”, aim to ensure the safe and high-quality production of solar energy while establishing order in this expanding market.
The absence of oversight has led to unqualified individuals selling and installing solar products, resulting in an increase in sub-standard installations.
Hopes are high that the new regulations will elevate the standards of the solar energy sector and protect consumers.
As Zimbabwe seeks a quick end to the shortage of electricity, which costs the country millions of scarce US dollars in imports each year and affects operations in industry, commerce, mining and agriculture, solar energy has turned out to be a readily available and efficient alternative source of power for industrial and household usage.
However, there has been a growing concern about the proliferation of sub-standard products in the market and unqualified installers.
On Thursday, Zera engaged stakeholders in Bulawayo as part of the last leg of national public consultations regarding these new regulations.
One key aspect of the regulations is the monitoring of the solar energy sector effectively, particularly concerning the quality of imported solar products.
Added to that, all solar and electrical installations will need to be performed by qualified professionals, with mandatory electrical inspections carried out by certified personnel.
Zera senior engineer-electricity, Eng Man’arai Ndovorwi said solar energy has been in use for a long period without proper regulation of the sector.
He said the influx of sub-standard products in the market, unqualified personal undertaking works and unsafe installation is worrying.
“The sector is generally not regulated and the influx of sub-standard products in the market characterised the sector. Poor workmanship has given rise to the notion that solar energy use is not good.
“Therefore, there is a need to regulate the sector and restore sanity. We are mandated to come up with a standard of equipment to harness the resource,” said Eng Ndovorwi.
He said the regulations seek to ensure that all solar products conform to Zimbabwe standards and International Electrochemical Commission (IEC) Standards.
Due to unqualified personnel in the sector, there will be mandatory training of 40 hours, which includes theory and practical sessions.
Participants have also urged the authorities to move with speed to implement the regulations noting the influx of sub-standard products particularly imports for undermining the sector’s efforts.
It was also noted that there needs to be enhanced inspection efforts to ensure that qualified people are mandated to install solar energy gadgets.-chroicle
