ERB URGES CITIZENS TO ENGAGE LICENSED CONTRACTORS IN INSTALLING SOLAR SYSTEMS

Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has urged the public to engage qualified and licensed contractors in installing solar systems to help prevent potential risks associated with substandard installations.

Meanwhile, the Board reveals that preliminary investigations into a fire incident that was recently reported in a social media clip on Sunday 15th September 2024, indicate that the property in question did not have solar panels installed as purported in the clip which was circulated.

In a statement, Board Public Relations Manager, Namukolo Kasumpa noted that according to the social media report, a residential property in Lusaka’s Libala South area, had caught fire due to wrongful installation of solar panels.

Mrs. Kasumpa explained that in response to the report, the Board constituted a technical team to conduct preliminary investigations into the incident, and it has since been established that the fire occurred on Wednesday, 11th September 2024 at approximately 12:00 hours.

“The suspected cause of the fire was an external ignition whilst the homeowner and his family had left for work as per their normal routine,” Mrs. Kasumpa explained.

She added that at the time of the incident, the area was experiencing load shedding, which is an indication that the property was not connected to the national grid.

“These initial findings suggest that electrical factors are unlikely to have caused the fire. The ERB urges the public to await the full investigation report from the relevant authorities mandated to investigate fire incidents,” she stated.