Hi guys, it's a new week and I'm so excited to be here again to share my thoughts and also learn from you all. This week's prompt is highly thought provoking and I'm sure everyone has something to say about it. The question is about one's preference of electricity source among solar, power grid and generator.
For me, I used to think the national grid was the best until I relocated to another city. Where I was before was a small town where we enjoyed nothing less than 18 hours of stable power supply daily.
Then, nothing made me happy as that electricity. I didn't have a generator, of course, why should I? There was no need for it. Even we consider the installation of solar as a waste of money. We were just satisfied with the power supply from the grid. So, I thought it would even be better or at least the same in the city. So, I didn't bother to ask any electricity-related questions while looking for an apartment. Alas! Where I eventually got is the worst in the whole city. We hardly have power supply for 30 minutes in four days. Then, it dawned on me that I needed to get another means of power. I have even heard the area has been suffering from such epileptic power supply for more than 12 years, due to the disagreement they once had with government power holding officials. They have since been blacklisted and punished with power supply.
As a result the area is usually in utter darkness. This actually makes me dislike the national grid . wonder why a group of people would be the dictators of power and withhold it for many days, punishing a lot of people. It even gets worse when they go on strike.Virtually all the electrical appliances brought to the house were spoilt. Solar is good but it is so costly. The high voltage solar panel costs an arm and a leg. The few cheap ones aren't powerful enough. They run down easily. I once visited a household that uses solar. I just tried to charge my phone because the battery was down but the whole light in the house tripped off the moment I plugged in my phone. Solar could also be frustrating during the rainy season when there is little or no sun.
Generator on the other hand is a reliable source of power but it costs a lot to maintain. The cost of fuel now is not friendly. To have 10 hours of electricity with a generator is not a child's play. A lot goes in terms of money. However, I still prefer generators aboves all. It gives me the value for my money, unlike government generated power where one will pay an exorbitant bill for the light not used. I know once I fuel my generator, I'm the one to use it and I easily put it off when I go out, or when I don't need it.
Also, generators have been the power saviour in my area, since there is no government power supply. The low income earners and even average income earners do take phones and power banks to shops where they charge with generators at a token. How many people can afford high quality solar? So, generators have been of great help, as a result many unemployed youth now have engagements with generators, they open shops where they charge phones and earn a living.
Also, generators provide alternative forms of help whenever petrol is costly. People can easily convert the carburetor to that of gas, that is less expensive and stays longer. With the generator, I have electricity anytime I want whether the sun shines or not, whether the grid falls or not, whether government officials are happy or not. The noise isn't my problem as there are now generators with less noise. I don't even put my generator inside where people will inhale it but outside where it is safe.
The only issue with generators is the cost of finance which can however be well managed, if the use is well regulated and not used unnecessarily. With my generator, I prefer the generator and I'm happier with it.
This is my entry sciFi Aprilinleo prompt.
Thanks for reading.
Pictures used are mine.