New findings on energy usage among the low income people have emerged from a recent study by the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia. Sadly, however, the study failed to consider the economic fundamentals on the usage of renewable energy among the low income households. The study indicated wood as the most preferred source of energy for cooking and heating followed by kerosene. Interestingly, though, quite a number of the households surveyed, about 20%, listed plastic as their source of energy for cooking. “Plastic” is a reference to the usage of flattened liquid containers in place of firewood.

Robert Schultz of the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia presents the findings at the first session of the 10-series symposium on renewable energy.

Electricity spending per household, in all the households with electricity connections -which they use for lighting, freezers, and electronic equipment – was found to be the highest at an average of N$202 per month, compared to what was spent purchasing other energy services.
The study suggested switching to solar energy as a more affordable source of energy, at an average of N$200 per month, in five years. This is assuming a household purchases a N$10000 solar panel through the government's renewable energy revolving fund and pay back the loan in five years.
The study also suggested that solar panels present business opportunities to households with entrepreneurship spirit that can use them to generate income through typical rural services such as cellphone charging, barbershop, and electric lamp charging.
What the study failed to consider was the low income bracket of the surveyed community which, in itself bar them from being eligible for loans from the revolving fund.

The study was presented this week by Robert Schultz of the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia at the first session of the ten series under the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Capacity (REEECAP) Building Programme.
The study was conducted in 20 locations all over the country in rural and peri-urban areas excluding urban informal settlement. It was conducted between June and July 2007.
The remaining nine presentation will continue throughout the year with the next presentation scheduled for 20 February and the last session on 16 April.