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Solar power: Revolutionising rural life!

Nurul Huda
RANA Sarkar who runs a saloon at remote Gobrakura village under Haluaghat Upazila in Mymensingh takes pride in describing the benefit of solar power, " Solar Home System (SHS) has revolutionized our life style as my daily income has increased by 50 per cent with the help of a bulb connection from the shop of Nazrul Islam who owns a plant. Now I can work till late in the evening smoothly’
Sarkar said, “I used to pull down the shutter of my shop at 8 pm and had to spend Taka 15 daily for burning about 250ml kerosene before SHS was introduced in our market two years ago." He said the expenditure for lighting has also been reduced by half as he pays Taka 200 per month as rent to Islam who owns the SHS.
Rana took a bulb connection on rental basis from Islam on payment of taka 200 per month, meaning reduction in cost by half as he spent about Taka 400 for using kerosene
for lighting his saloon till 8 PM.
Nazrul Islam who owns SHS said," I have rented out two bulbs at the rate of taka 200 each per month and use two at my grocery shop. I use one black and white TV and earn some money through mobilephone charging." He said he pays taka 824 as monthly installment for the SHS, which has paved the way for increasing his daily earning.
Meanwhile, General Manager of Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) SM Monirul Islam who visited some off grid areas of Haluaghat and Fulpur Upazilas in Mymensingh recently to monitor performances of the company’s participating organizations (POs) of renewable energy said so far they have provided support for 230,160 SHS and refinancing 225,000 SHS from World Bank, KFW Germany and GTZ.
A recent visit to some of the remote villages of Fulpur and Haluaghat Upzials in Mymensingh with general manager Islam was a rewarding experience for me as it
provided me the opportunity to see for myself the impact of solar power on rural life.
Emdadul Huq of village Chanpur,Fulpur who has taken SHS of 85 watt from Rural Services Foundation(RSF) runs a soap factory where workers now work till late night. Mrs. Huq said," We have taken SHS for a package of TK. 40400 making a down payment of Tk 6060 and monthly installment of Tk. 1126". She said workers of the factory can work till late night meaning increase in production.”
Mrs Soma, wife of Mazharul Huq, an NGO worker of village Bashati, Fulpur said, "We have taken SHS of 65 watt two years ago on monthly installment ofTk 1100 Agriculture is a major source of our income. We had to spend Taka 1000 monthly for kerosene and some money for mobile charge and battery charge . With the installation of SHS, life has become smoo th and expenditure for mobile battery charge and hazards of kerosene lamps have gone. Our children can study till late evening and I am planning to add to family
income doing some work at home. I know needle work and have Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree.”
Emdadul Huq of village Gobrakura, Haluaghat who has taken SHS of 65 Watt uses three bulbs for a poultry firm having 500 layers and two for his residence. He said, “ The use of bulbs has increased production as layers give more eggs as they couldn't eat without light at night. Besides, the cost for lighting has been substantially reduced as I needed several hurricanes for lighting purpose."
As regards marketing of eggs Huq said smilingly that the buyers from Mymensingh collect eggs from his house at the prevailing market price. He said he can counter check the market price with traders of Mymensingh through telephonic talks.
Mrs Nargis Begum, wife of Abdul Mannan, a police man of village Bashati, Fulpur narrated almost identical story from benefits for solar power. She said that with the help of SHS their children
can study till late evening and watch TV for recreational and educational purposes. They do not have to spend money for battery charging of mobile phone. She said in case of any problem with the SHS, technicians are sent by the installing companies on receipt of their complaints. She used words ofpraises for the people of participating organizations.
Mohammad Shoayab, Divisional Manager, Grameen Shakti , Mymensingh said they send their trained people in case of complaints from any owner of SHS. He said for a 10 watt SHS the package price is Taka 10,900 while for 40 watt SHS it is Taka 24,500. He said 25 per cent of the package price has to be in down payment and the remaining amount can be paid in 24 equal monthly installments. Any one willing to take SHS through 15 per cent down payment can do so through payment of the outstanding in 36 equal installments.
Nurul Huda Is a senior journalist.