Wednesday, November 30, 2016

The Difference Between Net Metering And Net Accounting

Net Metering and Net Accounting systems offer consumers of solar power in Sri Lanka to become producers of clean energy and thus become energy independent. Solar solution providers like Admo Solar offers both Net Metering and Net Accounting in the country through the Ceylon Electricity Board and LECO.

Net Metering facilitates all consumers of electricity to connect their on-site electricity generation system to the national electricity grid and receive credits for the excess energy redirected to the national grid, to be used at a later time period. Net Accounting on the other hand is a mechanism that allows customers of solar energy to connect their rooftop solar power generation systems to the national electricity grid and receive monetary returns for the excess exported back to the main utility grid that distributes energy across the nation.

Net Metering refers to the fact that flow of electricity can be measured by the meter in two directions. Power banking is another term used to describe Net Metering as it allows consumers to “save or bank” the excess power produced by the on-site generation system by redirecting the excess energy to the national utility system. Consumers can later reclaim this energy whenever their consumption falls below the energy production.

Net accounting is achieved through a contract of 20 years with the Ceylon Electricity Board according to which the consumer (who is also the producer) at a rate of paid Rs22.00 per unit for the first seven years following which a user of the photovoltaic system will receive Rs.15.50 per unit, for every unit of energy redirected to the utility grid. However, when it comes to Net Metering, even if the customer’s rooftop installation can produce more electricity than required, he will not be paid for the energy that was sent to the national grid. Instead, he receives a kWh credit which can extend into a period of 10 years and will be reflected on his utility bills in future.


Monday, October 31, 2016

What is Net Accounting?

In September 2016, The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy Authority introduced a new scheme to encourage the use of solar energy in Sri Lanka through the Surya Bala Sangramaya which literally translates to Battle for Solar Energy. In a highly felicitated event, Admo Solar became the first solar company in Sri Lanka to implement the Net Accounting System in the country.

Prior to the introduction of net accounting, the net metering system allowed customers of solar energy to redirect the excessive energy generated to the national grid. Consumers could thus bank the electricity for nearly ten years and use it later at convenience as and when required.

Net accounting was introduced in contrast to net metering. The excess energy produced by the consumer will be redirected to the national grid and the Ceylon Electricity Board will pay at the rate of Rs. 22 per unit in the first seven years. Following this, the consumer will be paid at the rate of Rs. 15.50 per unit the eighth year onwards for a period of 20 years for every unit of energy contribute towards the national grid. Thus, it promises to be a revenue generating venture for the consumer who will be enabled through the program to become producers of energy as well.

Through this scheme, as stipulated under the Surya Bala Sangramaya, it proposes the installation of 1,000,000 small rooftop solar panels to power residential, industrial, commercial, and religious places with the intention of making a major impact in the field of sustainable energy. Further, it looks towards supporting twenty-percent of the families from the lower-income sector in self-employment ventures.


With the new development, the country looks towards embarking on a new venture in becoming energy independent and gradually decreasing its dependency on the international market to meet the demand for its energy needs. Thus this venture looks into a future of furthering economic sustainability through the use of sustainable energy. The program has several benefits to the country as a whole as it can contribute towards lowering the carbon dioxide emission and create several direct and indirect opportunities through powering small and large scale industries using solar power. 

Friday, September 30, 2016

Wewurukunnala Viharaya – A Ride to Hell

Cultures across the world describe hell in a number  of ways. No description has ever been pleasant. An inland road to Beliatta will bring you to Dickwella, a village that is at a distance of twenty-two kilometers from Matara. The village has made it on to travel maps on account of the Wewurukunnala Viharaya, The most convenient way to get here from Colombo is to ride your own car or simply rent a car. Sri Lanka is a country where history is highly influenced by Buddhist traditions and beliefs, including its architecture. If you aren’t a much into driving but would prefer having yourself to your destination, Kings Rent A Car offers the chauffeur driven car rides to any location from Colombo.

The Wewurukunnala Viharaya depicts Sri Lanka’s own rendition of Inferno. This temple has a history that dates back to the 18th century, a time when King Rajadhi Rajasinghe reigned over Kandy (1782AD – 1798AD). The entrance of this 250 year old structure is dominated by a 162 feet colossal statue of a seated Buddha which spans the entire height of the six-storied temple. In fact, you can take the stair to reach the top of the building and gaze into the massive head of the Buddha statue.

The first part of the building is houses the image temple- a spectacular collection assemblage of statues that narrate stories of gods and princes. It is from here that you enter a long hall with garish and gaudily crafted life-size clay figures of scenes from hell as described in Buddhism. From being ripped into two halves mercilessly to getting yourself skinned and being dunked into scorching lava; there is a punishment for every act of sin. There is a written catalog that describes punishment specific to the misdeeds committed. The semblances, however, fail to strike much fear into the heart, unless you let your imagination wander a bit. Nevertheless, the mix of history and lore makes the ride fascinating.



The Solar Timeline

You would be surprised to know that solar energy has been harnessed since the 7th century B.C. In the 7th century BC, the sun’s energy was concentrated using magnifying glasses to produce fire and kill ants. It was in the 3rd century BC that the Romans and Greeks harnessed the sun’s energy to light torches by reflecting the sun’s rays using mirrors. Even today, this practice continues to be used for lighting the Olympic torch. Documents from 20 AD explain the use of mirrors in religious ceremonies by the Chinese to light the torches at the temples.

The first solar collector was designed in 1767 by the Horace de Saussure, a Swiss inventor. It was this design that was later adopted by Sir John Herschel to cook food on his South African expedition in 1837. Further developments began around 1873 when the photo conductivity of Selenium was discovered by Willoughby Smith.

The first commercial solar water heater in the world was patented by Clarence Kemp in 1891 but it was only in 1982 that the solar water heater was manufactured domestically in Sri Lanka. While these developments occurred, Einstein’s research paper on photoelectric effect was published in 1905. It was at the same time that he had published his paper on the theory of relativity.

The first photo-voltaic cell was designed in 1954 by Calvin Fuller David Chapin and Gerald Pearson. This was capable of converting sunlight into electrical energy. 1963 -Solar cells were successfully mass- manufactured and in 1976 Calculators with dual property, that used both batteries and tiny photo-voltaic cells to power the device were released into the market. However, it wasn’t only in 1994 that the first residential roof top solar cell was commercialized.

Sri Lanka has only begun taking its first steps towards solar energy. Hambantota Solar Power Station (Buruthakanda Solar Park) became the first commercial solar power plant to harness solar energy in Sri Lanka in 2012. With the recent introduction (2016) of Surya Bala Sangramaya’s ADMO Solar became the first company in the country to adopt and implement Net Accounting System, a program through which a consumer gets paid for the additional energy  that gets redirected to the national grid through net metering.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Solar Power - Sustainable Energy System

Fuels derived from fossils release a tremendous amount of carbon dioxide into the environment along with other harmful gases. This has altered the dynamics of the previously stable biosphere with an increase in global warming, leading to melting glaciers and rise in sea levels. Moreover, if the present rate of fuel consumption continues, the earth would be soon depleted of its resources. 

There is a growing need to switch to alternative sources of energy which are renewable and clean. Sustainable energy broadly expands into geothermal, hydro power, wind energy and solar power. Sri Lanka has the potential to tap the energy from the sun to power the needs of the country. ADMO Solar is a Sri Lankan company that is working towards meeting the energy requirements of the nation through solar power. There is a need for a growing consciousness among people to adopt this switch towards green and sustainable energy. 


Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Polonnaruwa: an untarnished legacy

The city of Polonnaruwa is a delight for a person who loves history and old ruins. This city had risen to  architectural marvel under King Parakramabahu who had ushered in an era of magnificent constructions at the peak of his era. With the easy availability of car rental, Sri Lanka offers the convenient option to tourists and travelers intending on making a short visit to this ancient city, which was once the second capital of the island country. Kings Rent a Car offers pick-up services from the Bandaranaike International Airport, allowing you to plan your itinerary ahead of your visit to Sri Lanka. 

Polonnaruwa, today remains a world heritage site: the remains of Galviharaya continue to stand along with the still withstanding parts of the Lotus Palace, Royal Palace along with the iconic statue of the king who had ordered their construction. The last standing structures of the old city were built in an around the Parakrama Samudraya, the largest man-made tank in the country as a testimony to the architectural advancement of the era. Polonnaruwa has several attractions which include the Nissanka Lata Mandapaya,  Shiva Devale- a twelfth-century temple dedicate to Lord Shankar, Gal Potha- a humongous 26 feet stone slab with inscriptions in the ancient language of Sri Lanka which has allowed scholars to trace down the origin of the Sinhalese script and much more.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Yala- an escape into wilderness and history

The island country of Sri Lanka that has made a quite haven in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, is by far a country emanating with a rich biodiversity. Sri Lanka scores the tenth position in terms of percentage endemism with 167 species confined to Sri Lanka.

This beauteous landscape endowed with a richness of flora and fauna is also the home to leopards; the slender cousins of the tigers that prowling the arid jungles with stealth. Yala, in the south-eastern region of Sri Lanka, has the highest density of leopards in the world.

It is a rich conglomerate of several ecosystems constituting moist monsoon season forests, deciduous and arid forests combining the marshy terrain and coastal environment. During the peak season, when birds migrate between October to April, the park hosts nearly two hundred bird varieties. Sri Lanka grey hornbill, crimson-fronted barbet, black-capped bulbul, blue-tailed bee-eater, Sri Lanka jungle fowl, Sri Lanka wood pigeon and brown-capped babbler are among the birds endemic to Sri Lanka, which can be found here.

With the rainfall that recedes from the start of May, reducing the water levels in the park, leopards slowly come out into the openness of the arid jungles. Apart from the wild cats, it is also the natural home ground for 44 species of mammals. The mighty Sri Lankan elephant, a subspecies of the Indian elephant; roam its flat lands; with a count of 300 strong individuals comprising its herd. Toque macaque, golden palm civet, red slender loris, and fishing cat are among the other mammals that can be seen here.

While there is no exclusive time to visit Yala, the park remains closed to visitors from September to November. Often, enthusiasts with the intent of getting to Yala to experience its wildlife opt for car hire. Colombo to Yala via Ratnapura is an often sought route by travelers; apart from providing the convenience of the national highway, it also takes one through the gem city of the country. Kings Rent a Car is a trusted company that rents out cars for trips across the island with easy pickup options. From Tissamaharama one has to continue driving to Palatupana where one can get all the details related to the safari rides at the visitor’s booth.

Yala is known for being a home to several species of birds and animals, however, some of the lesser known facts about it are the Sithulpauwwa which happened to be rock temple that had housed nearly 12000 monks. Another attraction in Yala is the Magul Maha Viharaya where the legendary King Kavan Tissa had married Vihara Maha Devi. Yala is woven into the lore of the Ramayana for it is believed that the demon king Ravana had established his kingdom Ravana Kotte here, which has now submerged into the ocean.


Yala thus is undoubtedly an escape that takes one through a rich experience of Sri Lanka that is at the confluence of its rich diversity of wildlife while blending in stories from the historical past and myths.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Travel to Sri Lanka

If you have ever traveled to Sri Lanka, or know of anyone who has holidayed in Sri Lanka, it’s undeniable that Sri Lanka offers an array of amazing experience that makes anyone want to keep coming back many times. The reason why Sri Lanka stands out as a holiday destination is because it’s got beautiful sandy beaches, wildlife safari’s, a transcendent and deep history and furthermore, cold weather in the central plains.

With miles of wide sandy beaches in Sri Lanka, it is more than a little tough to select where one wants to go, as many beaches will vie for the attention of the tourist. The South west coast of Sri Lanka is an ideal getaway destination for those seeking sun and sand and is famous for its beaches, shallow coral reefs in close proximity to the shores which are ideal for snorkelling, where one can take a boat tour and dive looking for ship wrecks, where the most famous being the WW II British aircraft carrier HMS Hermes.

Take a boat tour to see the dolphins or a Blue Whale pod in Mirissa in the South, Kalpitiya in the North West or Trincomalee in the East coast. Or meet the aboriginal people of Sri Lanka known as 'Veddhas' and learn their ways of life which haven’t changed for millennia; only very few countries in the world can offer this sort of an assortment in such a small land. Sri Lanka is one of the best places to see the Big Four: the elusive Sri Lankan Leopard, Elephant, Bear and Whale, whether in the Wilpattu National Park in the north central or the Yala National Park in the south.

Take a trekking tour through the tropical jungle filled with fauna and flora endemic to Sri Lanka. Rent a Car services are available to the adventurous few who are interested in exploring Sri Lanka on their own.  Kings Rent a Car Colombo provides attractive rates and services to facilitate all travel requirements for both local and foreign travellers.  Take an interesting tour along the cultural triangle and be awed by what had been achieved nearly two millennia ago by this small island nation, tour around ancient ruins standing stupendous and silent, as they had for two millennia through foreign invasion and jungle growth, to await the day that they once again would reveal the magnificence  to the world as they do today. Sri Lanka is definitely a land that the discerning traveller should not miss.


Monday, May 23, 2016

The car rental industry in Sri Lanka

Looking back at the past few years, we see a significant increase in the number of alternative transport solutions emerging in the island. The main reasons for this, according to many researches are the lack of proper means of public transport, the rising price of fuel and traffic.

With the customer-friendly taxes and levies introduced during the past few years, many people have invested in vehicles. This move resulted in the rapid increase of the number of vehicles entering the roads on a daily basis. The reason behind people investing on their own personal vehicles is the lack of proper public transports mediums. And all of the above given factors have collectively contributed for the emerging of the car rental Sri Lanka culture. 


The rent a car services first emerged in the Sri Lankan society towards the latter part of the 90’s decade and achieved its pinnacle towards the first few years of the 2000’s. Those who were in between investing on their very own vehicle and compromising the luxury and convenience for the public transport, dearly embraced the rent a car service concept. And the varied social and economic circumstances helped the rent a car services to grown their roots strongly in the Sri Lankan urban community. Today we find ample rent a car service providers in Sri Lanka. However the quality of their service is subjected to debate. Amongst the competition Kings rent a car has earned quite a respectable reputation in the business. 

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Exploring the beauty of Uva

During the New Year season when the temperature goes up to an unbearable level, most residents in Colombo travel further into the country where the mid highlands are - The Uva Province. Out of the 9 main provinces in the island, the Uva province holds Sri Lanka’s most gorgeous mountain ranges and valleys, offering a comprehensive travel experience.

The City of Badulla, surrounded by the famous namunukula mountain range, is a “not-to-miss” destination in the Uva province. The Namunukula mountain range consist of 9 mountain peaks offer an excellent trekking experience to all trekking enthusiasts. The temperature is mild and pleasant across the entire province as it gets a little chilled when you move towards Badulla, Haputhale, and Bandarawela area. The sensation that Uva unfolds for its visitors expand in a wide scope from chilling mountains, scenic views to dry terrains with a rich wild life.
   
Due to the versatile geographical settings of the Uva province, one can experience a host of unforgettable experiences. And the best part about Uva province is that it is only 5 hours away from the capital. This is the key reason why the Uva province is just ideal for a long weekend getaway… However, travelling within the province can take up a few hours from one destination to another. So it is always smart to drive your own vehicle. For those who does not own their own vehicle can easily rent a convenient vehicle from Kings rent a car service – the pioneer in rent a car in Colombo. With all the necessary planning, an unforgettable holiday experience is what you will not miss as you travel through the Uva province!
 

Thursday, March 17, 2016

New Year in Sri Lanka

According to the local horoscopic beliefs, it is said that the sun moves from the Meena Rashi (Pieces) to the Mesha Rashi (Capricorn) during the month of April. This is what is considered and celebrated as the Sinhala and Hindu New Year by Sri Lankans all over the world in during the 13th and 14th of April every year.

The Sinhala and Hindu New Year is a celebration of the summer in Sri Lanka where everyone breaks free from their busy lifestyles and gets together with their families to blend in with the festive vibe that spreads across the island nation. Schools close, organizations close on annual holiday, people in Colombo travel to the outskirts to meet their families, the entire country takes on a whole new aspect. With the rhetoric cry of the Koel echoing around and the tempting fragrance of Aurudu sweets and treats filling up the atmosphere, Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a cultural celebration that bonds people together.

On the flip-side of New Year, the hustle and bustle of the city ceases to be during this time of the year. Shops, cinemas, restaurants etc. close as they also set off to wherever their families are. The majority of the crowd living in Colombo have picked up a habit of traveling out of town during the New Year time which results Colombo to appear like a ghost town. Getting somewhere during the New Year days is almost impossible due to this reason. Either one should own his/her own vehicle or should rent a car. Sri Lanka offers a vast number of rent a car service providers such as Kings rent a car who make renting a vehicle simply hassle-free.  

Coming to conclusion, it is quite a necessity that more people should engage in celebrating New Year as it holds the true essence of being Sri Lankan!  



Monday, February 8, 2016

How to surprise your lover on this Valentine’s Day

As Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, we decided to enlighten you on some tips that you might find useful to impress your loved one. The majority of men carry the impression that a woman can be surprised with a basic candle-lit dinner. According to recent researches it shows that the modern day women are adventure-driven and spontaneous people who prefer some excitement beyond the ordinary.

Through studies, they have concluded that couples who face adventures together lead more successful lives compared to those who don’t. So stop wasting money and time on putting together a fancy dinner date in some expensive hotel. Pack your backpack and set off on an adventure with her! Living in a country like Sri Lanka, one can never run out of places to visit. You could always go on a road trip or a one day trip depending on your plans for the weekend. In terms of accommodation, it is always smart to make reservations before you walk into any hotel to avoid last minute complications unless you prefer exploring hotel by hotel, ready accept anything that comes your way.

May it be a road trip or a simple basic weekend getaway, always have a clear idea about your route and destinations. This will definitely save your precious time. And the journey will be hassle-free and relaxing. Selecting your medium of traveling is your next task. You could check with the bus routes or the train schedules beforehand or rent a vehicle from Kings rent a car – the best place to rent a car in Sri Lanka.


Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Avoiding the increasing number of road accidents in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka had been nurtured under the British colonial ruling as a well-structured destination for plantation during the 1940’s. Whereas the three main export goods which are, Tea, Rubber and Coconut added up a percentage of 90% of the overall exports income. And furthermore, 40 years back Sri Lanka was known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean for having the best communal indicators in the region.

And today, after ending a 30 year terrorist conflict Sri Lanka is on a rapid move towards development, we can notice a large growth in the number of foreign entrepreneurs and business personalities taking Sri Lanka in to consideration as a prospective place for investment.
The investments taking place in Sri Lanka expands across a vast area, from the garment industries to hospitality to technological endeavors. As a fast developing nation, Sri Lanka seem to be gaining a considerable mileage to shoot the national economy to higher statistics. Along with every investment, comes an array of subordinates which contributes indirectly to uplift the living standards of the common man in Sri Lanka.

Looking back at the records in the past, Sri Lanka has been proven to be 'the best bet in Asia' in early 50's with a highly stable economy and with a well-structured infrastructure. The statement made by the former Singaporean Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew when he visited Sri Lanka in the mid 50’s that he would develop Singapore to be the next Sri Lanka in Asia. Since the gaining of independence in the year 1948, the evolution of development in Sri Lanka has received the thoughts of a mixture of economists and politicians. However, a few decades down the line, Singapore has moved to the top developed countries in Asia whereas Sri Lanka, has only taken a few baby steps until this recent wave of development taking place across the island.

And along with the physical development of the country, the means of transportation too have evolved to cater to the international level demands of the foreigners travelling to the country for various investment ventures. For example the growth in the rent a car industry in Sri Lanka can be shown as a significant segment. As a result of this Sri Lanka,rent a car service providers like Kings Rent a Car Colombo. With all the above in store for the visitors to the paradise island, Sri Lanka moves forward.