Tanahun, November 11:

Solar power systems to light up houses are gaining immense popularity in remote rural regions of Tanahun district.

Though the electricity facility has not reached these villages yet, villagers are lighting their houses using solar energy. The number of villagers using solar power is greatly increasing. Locals even take loans to set up solar power systems at their homes in order to have electric lights, watch television and use fans.

Rural Alternative Energy Private Ltd (RAEPL), Tanahun informed that altogether 6,800 solar systems have been installed in different districts of Nepal. “We have installed over 650 Solar Home System in Raipur VDC of Tanahun district alone”, director of RAEPL, Prakash Chandra Subedi said.

He added that the demand for Solar Home Systems is very high in Syangja, Tanahun, Kaski, Parbat, Myagdi, Baglung, Lamjung, Gorkha, Gulmi, Arghakhanchi and Palpa in Western Nepal, and similarly in, Makawanpur, Chitwan, Madi and Dhading in Central Nepal. RAEPL even has branch offices in different districts helping install Solar Home Systems.

A local of Raipur VDC, Yadunath Pokharel said solar systems have been of tremendous help to them. “We can now light up our homes, watch TV and use fans during summer and heaters during winter”, he said.

Technicians of RAEPL said locals are being attracted to solar energy, as it is cheap and environment friendly. Besides, others fuels like kerosene can be saved and deforestation stopped.

RAEPL has been producing different technologies based on renewable energy sources such as solar energy system, biogas stoves, peltric sets, micro-hydro power, solar pumps, solar lanterns, solar driers, solar cookers and solar water heaters.

Director of RAEPL, Prakash Chandra Subedi said objective of the company is to promote alternative energy technologies to enhance the living standard of rural residents and conserve environment.