By Beek Mabior
![Beek Mabior [photo courtesy of the author]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Untitled-design-2-1.png?ssl=1)
The ongoing energy crisis facing our dearest South Sudan is due to the insufficient investment in the energy sector. It is due to the disinclination to fully invest in the clean energy sources and provide the desire electricity to fuel sustainable development. Moreover, the significance of solar energy is first that it is clean and renewable compare to other energy sources. Additionally, our environment is facing many man-made challenges and the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is rapidly growing and if we’re not serious; then we’ll face the worse of climate change in South Sudan. it is incredibly significant that we quickly reduce carbon emissions and solar panels and other clean energy sources are the solutions for that.
Although solar panels do have a carbon footprint, it is tiny than other energy production methods. Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to capture energy from the sun, thus it doesn’t create any further carbon emissions. Solar is a clean energy and it is crucial for the environment in South Sudan. Furthermore, solar energy works privately and commercially and it is wonderful for investment and clean electricity that is free from pollution. It is worth the investment for an individual to put solar panels on their roof in the same way that it is worthwhile for big energy companies to increase solar energy production on a commercial scale.
Moreover, solar panels may be costly when channel investment into them. But they do provide a profit in the long run usually over a set number of years. Then after that, the energy they produce for the rest of their lifespan is effectively free and profitable. In addition, solar energy doesn’t threaten environment and it is pollution-free and environmentally friendly. Additionally, solar panels are easy to install in many places and particularly rooftops are a natural choice as they tend to get so much sunlight and panels won’t get in the way. Solar power is clean, renewable, simple and affordable solution that every living human needs to takes seriously in the world.
All life on this planet is supported by the sun and solar energy which is the power from the sun is a huge, inexhaustible and clean resource on earth. Moreover, solar energy can be utilized directly for heating and lighting residential homes and businesses. It can also be used for generating electricity, water heating, solar cooling and many other industrial and commercial uses in the world. Additionally, solar electricity generation represents a clean alternative to electricity from fossil fuels, with no water contamination, no air pollution, no global warming pollution, no threats to our public health and electricity price spikes.
And according to the US Department of Energy, the amount of sunlight that strikes this planet’s surface in an hour and a half is enough to handle the whole world’s energy consumption for an entire year. Additionally, it is scientifically proven by energy scientists that eighteenth days of sunshine in the world contains the similar amount of energy as is stored in all of the planet’s reserves of oil, coal and natural gas. And if the solar resource is harness and converts into useful energy, then the fuel is free. Furthermore, there’ve been a rapid growth of solar energy around the world for many decades and various countries globally have invested in it. And for instance, in the U.S. installations have grown seventeen-fold from 1.2 gigawatts (GW) to an estimated 30 GW today, enough to power the equivalent of 5.7 million average American residential homes. Since 2010, the average cost of solar PV panels has dropped more than 60% and the cost of solar electric system has dropped by about 50%. So, solar power is nowadays considered to be economically competitive with conventional energy sources on earth.
Additionally, countries like China, U.S, Japan, Germany, Sweden, India and Australia have greatly invested in solar energy. Moreover, South Sudan has about eight hours of sunshine per day with a solar potential of 436 W/m2/year (REEP,2012). That can be utilized successfully to support electrification across the country. Our major cities like Juba, Wau, Malakal, Bentiu, Aweil, Torit, Bor, Yambio, Rumbek, Kwajok and Kapoeta have huge potential and abundant sunshine for solar energy development in South Sudan.
Finally, the Ministry of Energy and Dams need to encourage and invest in solar energy, hydropower and other clean and sustainable energy sources and avoid support of development of unreliable fossil fuel power plants in South Sudan. We South Sudan Environmental Advocates (SSEA) want clean and sustainable sources of energy across the country. We need development of energy sources that’re environmentally friendly and healthy in South Sudan.
The author is the National Project Coordinator of South Sudan Environmental Advocates (SSEA) and can be reached via email: beekmabior2020ssea@gmail.om Web: www.sseasouthsudan.org.
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