Mass Communication activities
promote PV awareness:
A well-designed public awareness raising campaign
can make a positive impact on public opinion, target specific
audiences, and be a cost-effective way of providing critical information
on the importance of PV systems to a large number of people. This
article documents the effectiveness of outreach missions and mass
media interventions conducted by the project to bring about measurable
change in rural communities.
The Transformation of the Rural
Photovoltaic (PV) Market project has realized that the level of
awareness on PV technology, whose dissemination targets rural population,
is low in terms of potential applications of PV, its benefits, economic
limitations of its use and PV system component availability.
The project has conducted a
number of activities aimed at creating awareness of the community
by availing them enough information to enable them make a sound
decision of acquiring the technology for their benefits.
The activities include use of both print and electronic mass media
as well as outreach missions to stage demonstrations of PV technology
to public in places such as markets and massive gatherings.
Demo at market places
The
project in consultation with the district authorities has identified
the leading open market in each division of Mwanza districts and
their respective assembling or business days. The project demonstrated
uses of PV systems through a PV powered video shows and music systems.
The demonstrations involved private PV dealers who had to display
their products and availed prices for their products and contacts
for their businesses.
During
demonstrations, leaflets on frequently asked questions(FAQ), about
solar electricity were distributed and responses were made to the
enquiries of the interested PV users.
Prior announcements on the demonstration schedule and assembling
days were aired through radio to prepare and direct the targeted
audiences to the PV demonstrations.
Mass media Interventions
Mass
media interventions especially radio and televisions were used to
reach a good number of people in the districts. The radio and TV
programs and spots created an opportunity to those who could not
attend market gatherings.
People were informed on the benefits
of PV for off-grid applications and the contacts of PV system component
shops.
ICE materials
Through use of Information,
Communication and Education materials i.e. posters, brochures and
leaflets messages on success stories were conveyed to the audience.
The billboards were installed at major road junctions in Mwanza
region depicting the benefits of PV systems.
Awareness Raising at Market
places - Missungwi District
Impact
Following is an impact assessment
of the carried out mass communication interventions to create and
raise awareness:
- PV technology is appreciated as the
alternative sources for provision of off-electricity services.
- As a result of awareness campaign there is
an increase of more than 100% of enquiries and sales of more than
1000 PV systems as recorded at PV shops.
- There is increase of sales for small size
modules (<20Wp).
Challenges
With growing demand of PV systems
and low affordability level of potential PV users, there are varieties
of cheap sub-standard 12wp solar module brands sold in Mwanza town
and districts.
Apart from the project efforts
to educate the dealers on supplying standardized products enforcement
of PV standards will be vital for protection of the solar industry
at present and in future. |
