Dealers ask government to step up fight against fake solar equipment

Dealers have asked government to step up its efforts in fighting fake solar products that have flooded the Ugandan market.

“One of the challenges we face is the dumping of poor quality solar products on the market and we face competition with those counterfeit products that are sold cheaply,” said SolarNow CEO, Daniel Wellington during a function to launch the Jaguza ne SolarNow This Xmas campaign at their offices in Kansanga.

Wellington said there are unscrupulous traders who are using popular brands to sell cheap panels to dupe people especially those from the village to fall victim and in the end taint the image of the bustling industry.

“The market is flooded by sub-standard solar panels but the habit is going on unchecked. The unscrupulous traders tell customers that the 100-watt panel can work for six hours and on reaching the village, the panels cannot stand the said time,” he said.

Joyce Nkunyahagara, the CEO for the Uganda Solar Energy Association, the umbrella body for dealers in solar products said the unscrupulous traders have led to unfair competition in the market.

“Government through the Ugandan National Bureau of Standards should come to save companies like SolarNow that sell genuine products but are suffering at the hands of unscrupulous traders.”

However, in response, UNBS spokesperson, Godwin Muhwezi blamed the fake solar products on unscrupulous traders who conceal them while importing.

New campaign

Speaking about their new campaign, SolarNow CEO Daniel Wellington said the promotion targeting the festive season will see customers enjoy up to 30% discounts on a number of solar products including TVs, batteries, panels, lights, fridges and water pumps among others.

“The campaign is aimed at complementing families with lighting and entertainment as they celebrate the festive season,” he said.