According to Andrew Othieno, UNBS standards development manager, the standards are being designed under the Solar Home System (SHS) and the solar products category that covers the plug and play products which include controllers, radios, cables, panels, batteries, torches, lamps, chargers, and other solar gadgets under 350 watts. Dealers of solar energy products have expressed fear that the new mandatory solar standards for solar products could chase them out of business.
The Uganda Solar Energy Association (USEA), which is mandated with verifying the quality of solar equipment on the market, in 2018 said of every 10 solar energy solutions, you will find about three or four that do not meet requirements. According to USEA, the solar energy sector accounts for 7 per cent, which means that between five and six households out of 10 get power supply off grid network.
Read more: ChimReports and The Independent