adminThe Herald, July 18, 1979
TWO Zimbabwe Rhodesians, who recently attended a world conference on solar energy in Atlanta, Georgia, will address a public meeting at the University of Zimbabwe Rhodesia this evening to discuss the importance of solar energy.
Mr Mike Watson and Mr Derrick McDiarmid went to the conference as observers and were not officially representing Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
It marked the silver jubilee of the International Solar Energy Society.
Mr McDiarmid, an engineer whose Salisbury firm is involved in installing solar equipment, said that from what he saw at the conference, Zimbabwe Rhodesia was an ideal country to make use of solar energy.
“Like most of the developing countries, one of our greatest assets is the sun. We must start thinking about tomorrow, today,” he said.
“Already, our water heating solar systems are well up with the rest of the world.”
Mr Watson said that from a security point of view, solar energy in this country would be an asset.
“Traditional sources of energy supply can be restricted, but no one can stop the sun,” he said.
Mr Watson felt it was important to get the message across to the public and stressed that this evening’s meeting was open to everyone.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Solar energy is the now and future in renewable energy in Zimbabwe. While the initial costs of setting it up maybe steep, this will however be outweighed by benefits derived.
African countries, Zimbabwe included, are blessed with an abundance of a free and finite resource in solar energy – the sun. It’s critical that the country makes use of this critical resource.
When people attend conferences, workshops, and other important forums, it is vital that they give feedback by imparting the knowledge they would have learnt, because some meetings are modelled on train-the-trainer concept.
People need to continue thinking about smart energy sources for the future, through things like research.
dyton mupawaenda
Online Reporter