Experts in the energy sector have called on the general population, especially those in the rural areas to be at the forefront in the protection of environment through the use of solar energy.The call was made yesterday by Norbert Duhuze, who is in charge of Environmental Regulations and Pollution Control at Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), during an interview with The New Times.Duhuze said: "The use of solar energy is very important in any country’s development mainly in as far as environmental protection is concerned because solar panels are one of the renewable energies which don’t emit green house gases that are very dangerous to the environment.”"It’s in this regard that I encourage Rwandans who are not on the national grid to use solar panels since they are environmental friendly”.He said solar panels contribute a lot to the mitigation of climate change since they don’t deplete natural resources. He added that they also promote green economy. "REMA is currently carrying out advocacy to bring on board investors and banks to finance carbon market projects around the country because this will enable us to reduce the effects of climate change in the future,” Duhuze said.The official noted that solar panels are easy to maintain and that, once installed, an individual is saved the burden of buying electricity.He also said the running cost is low compared to other sources of energy. He called on institutions like hospitals and schools which are not near the national grid to use solar power.In an interview with The New Times, Joseph Ngige, the Country Manager of Chloride Exide Rwanda, a Kenyan company that deals in Batteries and solar panel products in the country said that a solar panel of 13 watts costs about Rw26, 000 while its battery goes for Rwf20, 000."Everybody in the whole world wants to go green and the use of solar energy can play a key role in protecting our environment ensuring a brighter future,” Ngige said."If we damage our environment with carbon we are damaging our future and health,” he added.Jean Paul Mugwaneza, a resident of Nyagatare District, said: "I advise my fellow Rwandans to use solar energy. It is affordable and has helped improve my family’s standard of living”.