Malawi Bureau of Standards lab to test solar products for quality

The Ministry of Energy has said the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) laboratory under construction in Blantyre is expected to test solar products, among other products, for quality adherence.

The process is meant to address the influx of sub-standard solar products that have hit the local market.

Responding to a questionnaire, Minister of Energy, Aggrey Masi, said Capital Hill has set up a number of measures to address the challenge.

He said the government is working through MBS, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) and Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) to ensure substandard products are not imported into Malawi.

“Mera signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with MBS and MRA to check the products at the borders while Mera also inspects installed systems in the country.

“Mera conducted sensitisation workshops on renewable energy technology standards in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu in the month of January. There are standards in place but it seems most Malawians are not aware of the existence of those standards hence the workshops,” he said.

On the calls for the removal of Value Added Tax by the players in the renewable energy sector, Masi said the government is working with relevant authorities to ensure that the waiver is reflected in the prices on the market.

Players in the sector feel there is no level playing field between those selling fake solar products and the ones selling genuine ones.