jrobinson, Author at SolarBuzz Jamaica

Solar power boom

April 17, 2013 jrobinson

WITH electricity rates at an all time high in Jamaica, the domestic solar energy market appears to be gaining momentum.

“The last year has been fantastic, and the reason for that is that finally we are getting more and more of an environment where people see energy prices going up and don’t see anything changing very rapidly,” said Maikel Oerbekke, principal of Renewable Energy Developers (RED), a Montego Bay-based company that develops and implements solar energy projects primarily for commercial clients.

Icon Renewables proprietor Moses Chybar with a solar dusk to dawn flood light, which can run for up to 12 continuous hours, at the Jamaica Alternative Energy Expo hosted by the US Solar Institute at the Pegasus hotel.

RED, which specialises in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology from German total system company Schuco, and solar cooling and solar process heating plants from Austrian solar engineering firm SOLID, lists Jamaica Broilers Group and telecommunications giant Digicel among its customers.

Oerbekke, speaking with the Business Observer on Monday at the Jamaica Alternative Energy Expo hosted by the US Solar Institute at the Pegasus hotel, reasoned that locals now more than ever feel “strangled” by the electricity prices of monopoly provider Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), which recently applied to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) for a 10 per cent increase on reconnection fees.

“People are saying ‘we have our backs against the wall and we need to do something now’,” he said, explaining the growing interest in solar energy as attendees crowded the expo to view and gather information on some of the latest systems.

RED has done more than US$3 million ($297 million) worth of projects in the last nine months, revealed Oerbekke. Its biggest project to date has been the solar PV and solar cooling system it did for Digicel at the telecoms’ new downtown Kingston headquarters, he said.

In anticipation of growing clientele, RED is awaiting approval from the St James Parish Council to construct a 3,000-square-foot showroom and administrative building in Montego Bay that can stock around 1,500 panels.

“So, we will be even more faster and flexible,” said Oerbekke, noting that “A third of the building will be a showroom and the building will be completely powered by solar.”

Indeed, the Jamaican solar market has evolved dramatically over the last decade, said Damian Lyn, the managing director at Alternative Power Sources, one of the pioneers in the industry.

“When we started 10 years ago, we were told the company would not survive; it had just cost too much to install a system,” said Lyn. “But we stuck with it and it has gone strength by strength overtime.”

Lyn, a former president of the Jamaica Solar Energy Association, said a huge drop in solar panel prices over the years has been a major catalyst behind the industry’s boom.

“When we started in business, we were selling at US$7.50 a watt, now we are below US$1.50 a watt,” said Lyn.

Furthermore, Lyn said Jamaicans are way more educated now about solar than they were in the early 2000s.

“They understand the difference between solar water heaters and PV systems etc, and the savings that they can have,” he said.

Jamaica has an abundance of sunshine, an average of 3,000 hours a year in Kingston, although that falls by a quarter in more mountainous parts of the island, which tend to have heavier cloud cover.

Photovoltaic power generation uses solar panels composed of a number of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material. Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electrical energy, which is subsequently stored in a bank of batteries.

Rooftop panels, which could last for 25 to 30 years, will now pay for themselves in as low as four years, said Lyn, noting that the pay back for a battery-based system is six to eight years, and four to five years for one that is grid tied. Until recently, the pay-back period was up to 20 years.

Some say that changes to the regulatory framework has also had a positive impact on the uptake of solar power, with solar electric customers now able to offset their costs by selling back to the JPS, following the implementation of net billing last year. Net billing customers are paid the avoided cost of generation for the electricity JPS purchases, as well as up to a 15 per cent premium on that price.

Meanwhile, several organisations and businesses have switched to solar power, including Sandals Resorts International, which announced in November 2011 that it had teamed up with Panasonic to launch the region’s first ecovillage hotels. The company hopes to turn a profit on its investment in seven to eight years, said its CEO, Adam Stewart.

What’s more, GraceKennedy subsidiary Dairy Industries is reportedly going with a 60-kilowatt solar system shortly and Lyn himself is currently installing a 100 kw system for the American International School of Kingston.

Still, the Alternative Power Sources boss said he hopes to see more corporate entities getting involved in solar energy.

“A lot are still sceptical. I think, on the corporate end, they still don’t fully understand the paybacks, while the residential person who feels it more, knows it,” he said.

Against that background, Lyn feels the residential market

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

April 16, 2013 jrobinson

As customers contend with the increasing cost of energy bill, they may often ask what their alternatives are.

But before you even consider costly renewable energy systems, you should first adopt a conservation approach.

The average Jamaican household (that spends on average $12,000 per month on electricity bill) can spend $2 million on alternative energy.

Coming off the grid isn’t merely about divorcing the company that supplies your power and charges you on a monthly basis. It’s more than that; it’s about cheaper means of supplying and using power.

“If you are not one to maximise the energy saving opportunities, producing power on your own, and getting off the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) grid won’t save you money,” said Nathan Parkins, design technician at Alternative Power Sources.

Renewable energy systems are designed to match your current consumption, that is the more you consume, the bigger and more costly your system will have to be.

“If you don’t conserve, you could very well end up spending $5 million on a system when you could have had one for $3 million,” he said.

Some energy savings opportunities are free.

Turning off lights that aren’t in use may sound like the usual energy savings lecture, but if you aren’t flicking the switch, you are increasing wastage.

Lights on during the daylight hours, are obviously wasteful.

Then there are some suggestions that would require you to spend a little extra cash.

Equipment that trap heat and in turn pass it on to you, without electricity, are an option.

Opt for solar water heater over electric water heater, Parkins advised.

“We pay so much to use the electricity to get hot water, yet we have the sun,” he said. “I can safely say solar water heater can shave 15 per cent off your light bill.”

Checks by the Sunday Finance found that the National Housing Trust (NHT) offers loans to for solar water heaters to existing mortgagers with a maximum funding of $250,000.

But, if you have already got a loan from the NHT, you would have to wait 10 years before you can access the maximum $1.5 million funding for solar panels.

Nonetheless, there are some less pricey options, which are common to most households.

People with up-to-date energy style appliances will use less power than those without.

So, if you are not too sentimental, you could think about doing away with your 30 year old refrigerator and cash in on a newer model.

Gas stoves get the energy savings nod of approval rather than an electric stove.

Overtime, old appliances lose efficiency and consume more power.

You could even place a timer on your refrigerator that shuts it off after a number of hours.

The average fridge runs 11 hours per day.

In addition, you should repair loose magnetic rubbers of the refrigerator door, it allows the cool air to leave, using up more power.

Don’t keep your fridge too close to the wall, the heat coil at the back needs enough room for sufficient circulation.

As for lighting, there’s LED. Though this is more expensive to buy than fluorescent bulbs, switching could reduce your power usage by 50 per cent.

But, Parkins said this is most necessary for businesses that need the use of light for longer periods.

Do you think the time has come to getting power on your own? Well, Parkins crunched the numbers for the Sunday Finance.

According to him, a household user who spends on average of $4,500 per month wouldn’t spend roughly half a million dollars on alternative energy.

As for the average Jamaican household that he said spends on average $12,000 per month, they can get an alternative system for $2 million.

What’s more, you don’t have to completely abandon the JPS, you could opt to make a particular room solar.

Government News

A Maduro win won’t keep PetroCaribe intact

April 15, 2013 jrobinson

CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of Jamaica’s PetroCaribe Development Fund (PDF) Dr Wesley Hughes has said that even a facile victory by

News

Condemning Solar-Battery Theft

April 12, 2013 jrobinson

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I would like to condemn the recent theft of the 53 batteries from the solar-lighting system along the Highway 2000 corridor.

The solar-powered lights are the latest state-of-the-art upgrade that was introduced to help reduce Jamaica’s cost of generating electricity. The wholesale theft of these solar batteries is a handicap to modernisation in Jamaica.

I propose that going forward:

1. The Government should explore purchasing units that don’t stick out as solar-powered lights.

2. They should not publicise the installation of additional units.

3. If possible, they should embed tracking devices within these units to trace them if they are stolen.

4. Provide effective police patrol in areas where these lights are installed.

5. In addition, the courts should throw the book at anyone caught and convicted of stealing these batteries to send a strong message that this will not be tolerated.

We can deter future theft of these energy-saving units, which Jamaica desperately needs to help wean ourselves off of petroleum addiction.

PATRICK CALLUM

patrickcallum@yahoo.com

JPS News

5% reduction on April electricity bills JPS says

April 12, 2013 jrobinson

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Despite the continued devaluation of the Jamaican dollar, Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers will see an average of five per cent reduction in their electricity bills for April, the power company says.

The decrease, JPS says, is due to a reduction in the cost of the fuel used to generate electricity.

JPS explained that each month the fuel charge on electricity bills changes, depending on the cost of the oil used to produce electricity. The Fuel & IPP Cost on bills for April is $24.35 per kWh, compared to the charge of $26.54 per kWh applied to March bills.

This means that residential customers who consistently use 200 kWh will be paying about $400 less for his bill this month, compared to what was paid last month, JPS said in a release Friday.

This customer will pay $7,518 for the 200 kWh of electricity used, as against the $7,918.55 that was paid in March for the same usage.

Government JPS News

LETTER OF THE DAY – JPS Misses The Point

April 10, 2013 jrobinson

Callum

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I must thank Winsome Callum of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) for her response (‘Don’t mislead the public, Mr Montague’,Gleaner, April 9, 2013) to my calls for her company to share in the sacrifices the whole nation is being called to undertake. The call was made on March 6, 2013 for her company to reduce electricity rates by 10-12 percentage points.

Two recommendations were then made.

1) For JPS to use the recommended Office of Utilities Regulation rates, as contained in the current request for proposal (RFP), for alternative energy solutions. JPS is suggesting a rate of US$0.2672 per kilowatt-hour. If you add the US$0.11 per kilowatt-hour, for transmission and distribution, you would get US$0.3772 per kilowatt-hour. JPS charges approximately, US$0.40 per kilowatt-hour.

A decrease in its rates to match the OUR rates would be welcomed by all JPS customers.

2) The Government was also asked to reduce the so-called guaranteed 17.5 per cent profits. The writer claims there are no such guaranteed profits.

Therefore, could JPS consider publishing the terms and conditions of the licence?

Would the JPS also consider engaging the OUR and see how best it could bring the rates in harmony? Noting that alternative energy solutions are more expensive?

I am well aware that JPS is one of our best corporate and compassionate citizens and will take into account the feeling of merciless exploitation, that many of its customers feel when we get our monthly bills.

I am also heartened by the openness of the company for dialogue and anxiously await an invitation so to do.

In the meantime, all of Jamaica would be so happy if the JPS announce a cut in its rates.

JPS, we are depending on you to help in whatever way you can to advance Jamaica.

ROBERT MONTAGUE

Chairman, JLP

News

Highway solar lights hit by thieves

April 10, 2013 jrobinson

THE St Catherine police are seeking the help of citizens as they investigate the theft of 53 batteries from solar-lighting systems along sections of Highway 2000 in the parish.

Persons with information were asked to call the Highway 2000 East-West toll free number at 1-888-429-5632 or the Ferry Police Station at 705-8349 or 705-8112.

Batteries stolen from sections of the St. Catherine leg of Highway 2000, which were recovered by the police. (PHOTO: JIS)

Joan Fletcher, CEO of the Toll Authority, the regulatory agency for the toll road, told JIS News that the batteries were discovered missing over the last two weeks during routine checks along the corridor.

She said that six stainless steel boxes containing 24 batteries were discovered missing from metal post lighting systems situated on the Spanish Town eastbound on-ramp on March 24. These boxes, she said, were placed approximately nine metres above ground on the metal post.

She said that another three boxes containing 12 batteries were stolen from sections of the Mandela Highway westbound on-ramp on March 30, while an additional 17 were removed from the eastbound off-ramp, along that corridor, on March 31.

In the March 31 incident, Fletcher says quick action by the police, who were alerted of the thieves’ activities, led to the recovery of four damaged batteries in an adjoining canefield. She said the culprits apparently tossed the batteries away, in the field while fleeing the lawmen.

The solar lighting systems were installed at a cost of approximately $150 million by the developer of the St Catherine leg of Highway 2000, TransJamaican Highway Limited. The provision has served to enhance the visibility of motorists and other users of the highway at the corridor’s key interchanges, particularly at night.

TransJamaican’s quality maintenance and planning engineer, Melbourne Lyn-Cook, pointed out that the thefts have not only had a significant financial impact on the company and its shareholders, but has rendered the affected sections of the lighting systems inoperable.

He added that, while this poses some discomfort for users due to reduced visibility for users at night, the company has, to date, not received any report of mishaps.

Lyn-Cook advised that the remaining 175 batteries have been temporarily relocated to a secure storage area, while the company explores effective security mechanisms and measures for implementation, which will serve as deterrents.

“Once an effective solution to secure them has been determined, the company will schedule the re-installation and replacement of the fixtures, as our budget permits,” he added.

Additionally, he said routine patrols, currently being carried out, will continue in an effort to monitor the area and provide assistance where needed.

Electricity Government JPS

Work to Begin on 360-Megawatt Capacity Plant This Year

April 8, 2013 jrobinson

Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen inspects the guard of honour before delivering the 2013/14 Throne Speech during the State Opening of Parliament held on Thursday, April 4, at Gordon House.

Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, says the much anticipated construction of a 360-megawatt electricity capacity plant will commence this calendar year.

The Governor General, who was delivering the Throne Speech to mark the opening of the 2013/14 Parliamentary Year at Gordon House on Thursday morning, April 4, said the new facility will replace

JPS

JPS Enters Retail Market Selling Customers Products To Cut Energy Cost

April 8, 2013 jrobinson

Kelly Tomblin officially opens the company’s first eStore, which sells devices to help monitor, protect and conserve energy.

Sacha Walters-Gregory, Staff Reporter

National power supplier, Jamaica Public Service (JPS), is relinquishing power to its customers by venturing into retail, with its new e-Store which sells devices designed to cut customers’ energy costs.

“It’s really to put knowledge and information in our customers’ hands. As you look at our products you’ll see that a lot of our products are designed to do just that,” said Kelly Tomblin, president and CEO of JPS, at the official opening of the first store last Thursday.

The power company, often dogged by customers’ complaints of high energy costs, is selling devices to save energy, protect electrical equipment and monitor electricity usage, which will ultimately allow consumers to reduce energy consumption.

Located at the power company’s Ruthven Road Customer Service Office, at 23 Ruthven Road, St Andrew, the store is one of four stores to be opened this year.

“The products really help our customers to say, this costs me that and unfortunately when you get a bill at the end of the month for activity done throughout that month there’s nothing you can do about it at that time, but we’re going to give them information along the way so they can afford that energy bill and then after that we’re going to talk about how you decrease your usage,” said Tomblin. She further explained that energy conservation needs to be more relevant to customers.

REAL CONSERVATION

“The reason we believe that these kind of products and stores are necessary is that we’re finding although we give conservation a lot of lip service we haven’t got passionate about it. I think it’s because we haven’t made it real, conservation and show a bill before and after. So we’re hoping that along with the government we can lead the way to show real decreases in energy prices,” she said.

One of the products available in the store is the Digital Energy Timer, invented locally, which can be attached to a variety of electrical devices, allowing owners to automatically turn these devices off when not in use by way of a timer or by way of the Internet. It can be applied on a small scale in homes or larger scale in businesses. According to a release from the company, “the timer, which also comes with an energy meter that measures power consumed, can be installed at distribution panels, electrical enclosures and specific zone areas and is particularly useful in determining energy usage of one section of a factory or a tenant in a rental situation. ”

Other products include LED lights which can reduce energy costs by approximately $3,000 per bulb per year; an Energy Saving Kit ($2,900 including GCT), which includes a low-flow shower head that allows you to use 0.5 less gallons of water, a timer to alert you when you’ve reached the optimal time for a shower, a sensored night light and three energy-efficient bulbs and surge protector devices.

Customers can also access the devices available at the eStore, at JPS branches islandwide.

sacha.walters@gleanerjm.com)

Government News

CLARITY NEEDED ON GASOLENE TAX

April 5, 2013 jrobinson

PROFESSOR Rosalea Hamilton, head of the MSME (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises) Alliance, is calling for clarity on Wednesday’s implementation of an increase in gas tax.

“The ripple effect of this tax is devastating, as it affects all sectors. Therefore, more clarity and transparency are required on how it is being applied,” Hamilton told Auto.

HAMILTON… the ripple effect of this tax is devastating, as it affects all

Hamilton said with this week’s increase in fuel prices, a representative of the state-run refinery Petrojam should explain how the new tax is applied.

“It’s the responsibility of the people who have the authority to make these decisions to properly inform the public. They are to say, very clearly, that in addition to the US Gulf reference price and movement of the American dollar, we now have a tax of whatever the figure is so that we’re all clear,” she said.

According to Petrojam’s weekly billing prices, the price of gasolene went up on Wednesday by $2.31 per litre, while the price of diesel rose by $2.50 per litre.

The professor said this situation compounds an existing problem of Petrojam’s pricing formula “which is not transparent”.

However, in confirming the application of the new tax on fuel prices on Wednesday, Winston Watson, managing director of Petrojam, said: “The tax was applied and the effect was minimal. The tax is a like-for-like replacement.”

Watson explained that the Government had replaced the Custom User Fee (CUF)

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