Stanbic Bank rolls out solar ATMs

Stanbic Bank has rolled out the first solar-powered offsite ATMs to enable its customers access cash, during power outages and to provide a reliable, cost-efficient alternative to running ATMs in the current power crisis.

Mr Farihan Alhassan, Head of Customer Channels of Stanbic Bank, said this initiative would come as a relief to those who rely on ATMs rather than the banks, to make financial transactions.

“As a customer-conscious bank, we definitely need to ensure that clients readily access their money whenever they want,” he said.

He said the bank wants to prevent the inconvenience caused to clients when ATMs are completely down because there is no power.

The Head of Customer Channels said the solar-powered ATMs would also help sustain the environment while reducing the pressure on the national grid.

Mr Hendrix Glover, ATMs Manager of Stanbic Bank, said exhausts from generator sets powering the various branches, was not good for the environment.

“It is in the interest of the society that we try and use the renewable sources of energy that will have a negligible effect on the environment,” he said.

Eight ATMs have been installed so far at Yendi, Atomic Goil station, Sakumono Shell station, Ashaley Botwe, Tesano Total station, Ga Mantse Total filling station and Tsui Bleoo.

He said Stanbic intends to install about 20 more in very high traffic areas and areas that experience frequent power outages, by the end of September.

Power to each ATM is provided by up to 16 panels, feeding a system that includes a battery bank, air conditioners and CCTV cameras valued at $ 17,000.

Meanwhile, the solar-powered ATMs are said to have a warranty of more than 20 years, and the capacity to produce between three and five kilowatts, which Mr Hendrix said is projected to save the Bank some GH₵36,000 in energy costs annually.

“We spend about GH₵ 3,000 each month on electricity and fuelling of generator sets for each site,” Mr Glover said

Source: GNA