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Improving access to finance could accelerate the development of solar energy, according to Jon Pittar, general manager of solar energy provider, Solar Solutions PNG. If the government wants to achieve its energy goal of giving power access to 70% of the population by 2030, he thinks that solar powered systems must be provided to rural communities.
Solar Solutions is one of the top six providers of solar power in PNG.
Since entering the market in 2013, she has sold thousands of home lighting systems to rural and remote communities.
"We are going through a difficult economic period," says Jon Pittar, Managing Director, at PNG Business Advantage, & with only about 10% of the population in formal employment, L & # 39; 39, solar energy can be an inexpensive alternative
Pittar claims that the cost of laying cables for a fully operational network exceeds 100,000 K per kilometer and then it costs up to K2400 to take power from the source to the houses, and then people have to pay for a meter, and then they have to pay for the energy.
He says historically in the paradise of PNG mini-networks This is an expensive option in which a faul t in the system will affect all users. On the other hand, if a problem occurs, it only affects one unit and is easily repairable.
You give community lighting and communication and this community will develop.
It must be recognized in PNG that a large part of the community will not be able to pay for electricity, so if we want to help them achieve better health outcomes, better results for education, they must be provided
"You give enlightenment and communication to the community and this community will grow."
"So in five years, 10 years, there will be a demand 240-volt power and mini-grids. "We continue to believe that 12V home lighting systems are the most affordable and scalable way to provide basic power and lighting to rural communities that will not be able to afford them."
Finance
Pittar, who is also vice president of the PNG's recent solar energy association, says banks want collateral before lending, and SMEs are generally unable to do this.
"The banking sector has the obligation for companies to own assets before granting credit.These assets do not include inventory. communal land makes land ownership extremely difficult, "he says.
He hopes the IFC will do in PNG what it has done in other small Pacific countries and vouch for it for SMEs in the solar sector Promises: IFC and the A PNG Power Limited have begun consultations with companies on the expansion of renewable energy sources with a proposal for a pilot solar rooftop program in the capital, Port Moresby.
Solar Solutions has completed a number of projects across the country, including street lights at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), providing external and internal lighting for projects Law & Justice of PNG-Australia. Large scale lighting project with PNG Ports at Alotau, Motukea and Rabaul
Expansion
The 12V solar product range has expanded since the introduction of solar in PNG there is six years.
but Solar Solutions PNG now offers a "full program" for village electrification, which consists of four lights, phone charging, accessories such as televisions for schools and biomass stoves.
Pittar says that biomass stoves use a quarter of the wood normally used in open fires and they create much less smoke.
"Advances in technology have enabled us to offer refrigerators, security cameras and solar energy freezers and our latest agency, Future Pump, a solar powered water pump.
Originally developed for irrigation, the pump can be used to recover water from wells, water reservoirs or the nearby river
J Jacobs, and Carolyn Blacklock, Acting Executive Director of PNG Power, will both speak on related issues at the PNG 2018 Investment Conference at Sofitel Brisbane on August 6-7. To view the conference program or to register, visit www.pnginvestmentconference.com
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