(3 Minutes Read)
The cost of a solar system required to power up electrical appliances is above K30,000, which is far too high for most small business entities, which is far too high for most small business entities, which lack the financial capacity to afford the solar system.
The Zambian government’s recent encouragement to citizens to utilize solar energy amid the 8-hour load shedding has left small businesses struggling to keep up. Most of them lack the financial capacity to invest in alternative sources of energy like solar panels which cost above K30,000.
The Government of Zambia commenced 8 hours of load shedding from 11th March 2024. It has exacerbated the already negative economic outlook for local businesses and the country at large. SMEs will have to go for about half of the day without operating. This will result in a drastic drop in their revenues. The cost of a solar system required to power up electrical appliances is above K30,000, which is far too high for most small business entities, which lack the financial capacity to afford the solar system.
Read Also:
According to sources, the solar system needed to power appliances that do not consume a lot of energy involves a 1-kilowatt inventor or 1.5 inventor, batteries, panels, a combiner box, battery racks, a PV cable, installation kits, and installation charging systems costing, bringing the combined total to K35,000. This means that most small businesses like salons, barbershops, and welding shops, will have to suspend operations during load-shedding hours as most of them cannot afford alternative sources of energy.
