RSEL launches Solar Nepal Initiative

KATHMANDU, July 23: The Kathmandu University (KU)'s Renewable and Sustainable Energy Laboratory (RSEL) has launched the Solar Nepal Initiative. The project was launched virtually. 

The objective of this Initiative is to make the country's economy as 'green economy' through the promotion of solar energy in collaboration among the various stakeholders in the energy sector.

RSEL chief, Associate Professor Dr Sunil Prasad Lohani stressed on the sustainable energy hybridity in the energy sector of Nepal. He said the solar energy could be a viable clean energy alternative to hydropower. 

He also said there is huge potential for the hydropower and solar power in Nepal and both were complementary to each other rather than competitors. Dr Lohani also called attention of the government and the private sector investors towards this end.   

Executive member of Independent Power Producers' Association of Nepal (IPPAN), Kuber Mani Nepal said there is policy-related obscurity regarding the energy sector and a lack of infrastructure for testing the solar energy equipment. 

Renewable Energy Confederation president Gunaraj Dhakal said the goal of at least 20 per cent solar energy in the energy mixture can be achieved if the agencies concerned emphasized on the development of the technology for the same.  

Nepal Solar Power Producers Association president Indra Khanal underscored that the solar energy is the only reliable alternative in emergency and it could be seen as the main energy source. 

KU, School of Engineering Dean Prof Dr Manish Pokharel, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)'s senior scientist Dr Suresh Kumar Dhungel, Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC)'s deputy executive director Nawaraj Dhakal, Prof Dr Ramesh Kumar Maskey and Prof Dr Amrit Man Nakarmi also shed light on the rationale of the Solar Nepal Initiative and its works.

More than 130 persons from various sectors participated in the Webinar.