VINCENT AJEDE, the Managing Director of Solar Advanced Power Systems Limited, needs no introduction in the nation’s power and energy space. As a pioneer of solar energy in Nigeria, with over 20 years in the energy industrial landscape, he discusses the many benefits of solar power in this insightful interview.

Company Background I am the pioneer of solar energy in Nigeria with over 19 years experience in the business. We have trained engineers, technicians and I can say that we have trained about 300 engineers who now run companies of their own and can now be said to be our competitors in the market Solar energy application of (how does it work)

Solar energy is everywhere. It works when the sun rays hit a solar panel and goes to into battery bank to generate power for electricity. We have three types here; •the electricity back up system: this is a combination of electricity and the converter •The Solar hybrid system: combination of solar panels, inverters and converter. It takes energy either from the converter, from the sun or a diesel source

•The stand alone solar system: depends on the sunlight for energy. An infinitesimal of sun gives you solar energy in the storage box or battery bank. And once it becomes dark, the solar panel comes on its own.

Comparison of hydro power generation with solar source If we cannot provide electricity using the water or fuel source how can we think of solar power generation? I think there is a rip off on the part of our government; why is the government not constructing dams and would rather bring in things we cannot achieve like solar when we cannot do the little ones. And this what I have been telling them for eighteen years

Can solar energy generate power for the whole Nigerian populace? No. Solar energy cannot provide enough power generation for the whole country. Solar energy is generated depending on its usage. It cannot power your air conditioning for twenty hours. Most people here use PHCN for free or pay very low tariffs. Solar serves as an alternative power source instead of using generators---your backup system when your main source of power fails.

Cost implications and safety of usage in comparison to other sources Initial investment is high but operative cost over the system is low. It is basically a feed and forget system, unlike the dams where you have engineers working day and night thereby incurring bills. It is just the initial investment and after that is gone, the solar panels are guaranteed for thirty years. We have done jobs that attracted thunderous recommendation. We have done consultancy. What other means can be put in place to solve the problem of low power outage in Nigeria? What I recommend is electrical backup system with solar. This is what is feasible in Nigeria but for the cost implications. But even at that, majority of Nigerians still cannot afford it. Eighty percent of Nigerians are poor. But with N80, 000-N85, 000 you can power your fans, lights and television set. What else do you need agai9n? And as soon as PHCN comes you leave it to recharge instead of putting up with generators that are too costly to run in terms of fueling, repairs and maintenance

Perceived challenges The major challenges are the foreigners (Asians) that have come in to bastardise the business. Inverters come in different shapes, sizes and specifications. These Asians, do they have a workshop where, if, for example, you want to spend money on an inverter, can have it rated to check if you are buying the right specifications? At Solar Advanced Power Systems, we have our own workshop where we check all the inverters. You can come in to see if they are as specified by the manufacturers. But Nigerians are always on the lookout for cheap products which is what these Asians are offering. But these cheap articles can never serve you in the long run. Hence all the misconceptions that power inverters don’t work

Challenges of using solar and power inverters Depending on power requirements, there are no challenges to using solar or power inverters. It is the cheapest means of energy. I have visited India, China, Singapore; this is what they are using as backup for power failure. They expect power failure all over the world. But Nigerians have no sense of power management. So, there is a general misuse of the power inverters; they want it to power air conditioners or fridges. But for the average man with the initial investment of N85, 000, you can power your bulbs, fans and televisions. What else do you need? So your wife can cook conveniently, your children read their books and then you don’t need to buy generators or fuel and diesel which are expensive and have scarcity problems.

Government participation Government is waking up to our power needs and I appreciate what they are doing at the moment. They should come out and enlighten the public on solar power and support them to acquire it like what People’s Bank did in back in those days.

Way forward How do you advise a deaf man? You just keep quiet and keep looking at him. Nigeria is deaf. We have leaders that are not listening to their people. Nigeria is like a huge joke. Don’t our leaders see the burnt out street lights, is that what is obtainable in cities they visit abroad? The solar energy for our street lights is ganging lights. I have proved it in my office and when I did reconstruction for Lagos state. For me it is not about the money but I am passionate about what I do

Company achievements We have done jobs for banks, powered over 2000 ATM machines, government establishments, oil and IT companies. We have clients who know the worth of our products and are buying quality products. We cater for both the rich and the average.

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