Saturday, 13 July 2013 00:00
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Solar power energy, a carbon-free, renewable alternative to the power generated with fossil fuels like coal and gas has been a technology that is today poised for a comeback. This source of power is a revolution in the supply of electricity and is a cost effective alternative to the traditionally accepted and adopted methods.
A diverse range of products that create solar power could provide Sri Lanka with hundreds of gigawatts of electricity. This would reduce the cost of electricity and thus make it more accessible throughout the island. Solar power is a viable solution that will put an end to the ever increasing costs of electricity that has of late been of grave concern to most Sri Lankans.
The pollution concerns of coal generated electricity and the limitations and the weather dependency of hydro generated electricity, would not apply to solar generated electricity. Sri Lanka being located in close proximity to the equator and having the benefit of sunlight throughout the year, makes it an ideal candidate to make best use of this source of clean energy.
This year, in the wake of the many debates of the newly introduced electricity tariffs, Solar Therm initiated a unique concept of having a Vesak pandol solely powered by solar energy. This was done to introduce to Sri Lankans the many aspects and benefits of solar energy.
Especially during religious and traditional festivities where a large amount of electricity is used for celebratory activities, solar energy provides a cost efficient solution. Thus, at the country’s most revered and most celebrated religious festivals, this novel solar-powered pandol viewed by thousands of Sri Lankans delivered a unique message drawing the attention of sightseers to alternative energy generation. Solar Therm/Alpha Solar executed this initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs.
Speaking on the importance of solar power Sajith Weerawarnakula, Engineer of Solar Therm stated: “We are proud to have created Sri Lanka’s first solar powered Vesak pandol. This concept was aptly introduced at the country’s most revered and celebrated religious festival. This initiative is just the beginning as we believe that solar energy will reform the use of electricity in Sri Lanka. This unique demonstration of solar power during the Vesak festival educated people on how such activities could be carried out with the least environmental impact.”
This initiative is a first for Sri Lanka that will open up and highlight the range of possibilities of solar power. It is the beginning of an era of utilising sustainable and environmentally-friendly methods of renewable energy sources.
