Sobi FM Ilorin, Switches to Solar Power for 24-hour Operations

By Dare Akogun

As part of its efforts at championing reduction in greenhouse emissions, Kwara based 24 hours Private radio station Sobi 101.9 FM Ilorin has become the first radio station to be powered by entirely the Sun.

The 62.8 Kilowatt Hybrid Solar System was switched on Friday, March 31, 2023, to power the entire building housing the radio station which boosts three studios.

The station nestled on Sobi hill is fitted with 160 solar panels and 30  batteries and can broadcast for 24 hours using reserve energy built up from sunlight.

Climate experts agreed that the production of solar energy in cities is a way to diminish the world’s dependency on fossil fuels, and is a good way to mitigate global warming by lowering the emission of greenhouse gases.

Speaking in the feat Supervisory Director of the station Alhaji Kayode Mustapha said solar energy renewable source of power has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.

“We are at COP 27, and since we return we made a vow to contribute to the fight to save our planets from global warming, this is our way of mitigating climate change which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems.

“It is a known fact that solar energy can improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production, even as it will save the station a lot from buying diesel.

“We hope the Kwara state government and other business owners will take a cue from us and embrace solar power energy,” he said.

It would be recalled that Sobi FM was the only private radio station accredited to covert the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP27, held in Egypt last year.

According to the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, when you produce about 1000 kWh of electricity using solar panels, you reduce emissions by more than 1,400 pounds of carbon dioxide.

Other gases include 8 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 5 pounds of nitrogen oxides.

A solar panel with a projected 28 years of operation would significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 100 tons.