Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has received a donation of electrical testing laboratory equipment that conducts tests on solar Photovoltaic (PV) equipment from the Department for International Development (DFID) through the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
According the statement issued by UNBS on 24th May 2019, it states that this is part of the activities where UNCDF contracted CREEC in partnership with Energy Without Borders to implement a Consumer Protection and Awareness campaign on behalf of the Uganda Solar Energy Association [USEA] for off-grid solar in support of the priority actions outlined in the Energy Africa Compact with support from the Department for International Development (DFID).
UNBS acting Executive Director Patricia Ejalu says that as part of the program, several activities have been carried out namely; developing a quality assurance framework for the solar sector, awareness campaigns and solar technician trainings conducted both in West Nile and the Eastern region and a capacity building training for both UNBS and URA market surveillance team.
While receiving the two laboratory testing equipment namely the Cadex C8000 battery testing system and the Seaward PV200 solar panel tester at the UNBS headquarters, Ejalu thanked 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.
She added that the equipment will help build the capacity of UNBS and increase the quality of solar panels and batteries on the Ugandan market.
“As the standards body charged with the mandate of ensuring that products on the market are safe, we are continually trying 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.
While handing over the equipment, the UNCDF representative noted that local development is about improving quality of life at the grassroots level.
The handover was officiated by top officials from DFID Uganda, UNCDF, USEA and CREEC.
– By Drake Nyamugabwa
