YANGON (Xinhua): As power outages continued, people in Myanmar were turning to solar energy. One of them was 70-year-old U Kyaw Min from Yangon, who visited a solar energy expo here.
U Kyaw Min shared that he had already used solar products at his office last year. "Now, I'm here to find farming solar solutions for my brothers in rural areas in Ayeyarwady region," he said.
"Fuel prices are high, so the cost of farming is high with fuel. I came here to look for solar products for them," said the man.
He said as power outages continued, using fuel generators is not a good option because of rising fuel prices. "Solar energy is the best option. While the initial cost is high, it's very beneficial in the long run. Solar energy has many advantages," he said.
According to a recent statement released by Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation, due to a decrease in electricity production, electricity was being distributed proportionally to regions and states across the country.
In Yangon region, areas have been divided into three groups, with electricity supplied for four hours and cut for eight hours alternately, the statement said.
To meet an increased demand for electricity, the government was working to utilize resources like water, sun and wind for power generation, the statement added.
Ko Kyaw La Min, 44, from Nattalin in Bago region, also visited the expo. "I came here to learn about solar products for my kitchen use and water pump," he said.
"I already used solar for lighting and electronic devices like phones, televisions and laptops," he said.
He said that at the expo, he was looking for solar products for his five-member family to meet their needs for water, lighting and Internet. "I'm looking for a solar set with higher wattage for my kitchen, water pump and freezers," he said.
He added that one of main challenges for using solar energy for most people was cost. "If the prices of solar products are affordable, more and more people will use solar in the future," he said.
U Myint, a man in his 60s from Yangon, attended the expo to explore solar products. "We live in a multi-storey apartment, and installing solar panels is not easy. But I came here to find out how to use solar energy. Right now, I use inverters and batteries during power outages," U Myint said.
"As power outages continue in Yangon, we need to find more alternatives for electricity." "If I can figure out how to install solar panels in my apartment, I will definitely install them," he added.
Exhibitor, Blue Carbon Technology Inc., was showcasing lithium solar batteries, solar panels, freezers, air conditioners, and smart power stations.
Diana Zhu, executive director of Blue Carbon, said, "The most popular products here are lithium batteries for homes, smart power stations, and air conditioners."
She said that Myanmar was a good market and now facing power issues, and solar solutions will help solve these problems.
When asked about the future of solar energy in Myanmar, she said, "if the products are good and affordable, more people will use solar products to solve their power problems."
The expo, which opened on Friday and will run through Sunday, attracted more than 70 local and international companies. - Xinhua
