Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has gets electrical testing laboratory equipment that conducts tests on solar Photovoltaic (PV) equipment which was received from the Department for International Development (DFID) through the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
This is part of the activities where UNCDF was contracted by Centre for Research in Energy and Energy conservation (CREEC) in colaboration with Energy without Borders to implement a Consumer Protection and Awareness campaign.
The campaign is on behalf of the Uganda Solar Energy Association [USEA] for off-grid solar in support of priority actions outlined in the Energy Africa Compact with support from the Department for International Development (DFID).
With connection to the programme, various activities have been carried out namely; developing a quality assurance framework for the solar sector, awareness campaigns and solar technician trainings taking place both in West Nile and the Eastern region and a capacity building training for both UNBS and URA market surveillance team.
The two laboratory testing equipment- the Cadex C8000 battery testing system and the Seaward PV200 solar panel tester were taken by Acting Executive Director Patricia Ejalu recently at UNBS head offices in Bweyogerere, Wakiso District.
While using the equipment, the DFID Programme Manager Lydia Nandawula noted that climate change has become a reality.
“It is therefore important to support and strengthen capacity of UNBS to tackle the effects of climate change such as greenhouse gas emissions through advancement of renewable energy like solar.”
Speaking on behalf of UNBS, Ejalu were delighted by UNCDF, CREEC and DFID for the much needed support saying it goes a long way in ensuring that the solar equipment market is able to rely on UNBS test methods to ensure safe and long lasting products.
“As the standards body charged with the mandate of ensuring that products on the market are safe and secure, we are trying throughout to deliver on our mission with limited budgets. As a result, essential equipment for testing is often too costly and inaccessible and yet the industry is growing. We are grateful to our partners and donors for this generous donation to help in this regard,” she said.
