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Your Guide to Charging an Electric Car

August 2, 2024 jrobinson

Driving an electric vehicle is relatively simple; however, charging an EV can get complicated.

Car shoppers buying or leasing an electric car will want to take into consideration what sort of charging infrastructure they have at home or nearby that can support their new vehicle’s recharging needs. Unlike gas-powered vehicles, which in some locales are seemingly supported gas stations at just about every corner, battery-powered cars and trucks charging options are fewer, and often further, between. Though the process of going all in on an EV involves more planning and forethought, it shouldn’t dissuade you from considering such a vehicle.

To start, one of the best decisions you can make before purchasing an EV is to have a charger installed where you live. That’s certainly easier if you own your home, but there are plenty of hoops to jump through to make it happen (permits, contractors, fees). To simplify the process, some automakers incentivize this process, as do a number of state and local governments. If you happen to rent the place you call home, then it never hurts to ask your landlord about the possibility of installing an electric car charger.

EV Charging Levels and Charging at Home

There are three main classifications of EV charging: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (also known as DC fast charging). The one you’ll want to use often depends on how far you’re going and how much time you have for recharging.

If you charge at home, it’s easy to plug in at the end of each day and recharge overnight. The same is largely true during the day if you’re able to charge at work. Longer voyages require a different approach because you won’t want to waste hours for a suitable recharge to get back on the road.

Level 1 charge equipment is typically provided with all new EVs. This type plugs into an ordinary 120V household outlet, making this the most convenient but also the slowest way to charge an electric car. Level 1 chargers add roughly two to four miles of range per hour, with the lower end of that range corresponding to larger, less efficient EVs. This means Level 1 charging can take days, not hours, to fully replenish a depleted battery pack. But charging from empty is far from the norm, so Level 1 can work out just fine if you drive no more than 20 miles or so per day and can plug in every night.

You do need to consider a couple of points. First, you should consult an electrician to see if the socket you plan to use is up to it, especially if your home isn’t relatively new. Also, you should never plug your car’s Level 1 charge cord in via an extension cord, because the extra wire length adds resistance that can overheat your home wiring. Also, if you’re unable to plug in regularly, or want to be able to add spontaneous side trips during the day or on weekends, you may find that this setup charges at a rate that’s too slow for your liking.

To satiate your need for charging speed, you’re going to want to look into stepping up to Level 2 home charging, which can support up to 240 volts at triple (and in some cases quadruple) the amperage of Level 1. That makes most Level 2 setups six to eight times faster than Level 1, which equates to between 12 and 32 miles of range added per hour of charging, with the more efficient EVs toward the higher end of that range. With Level 2, you can add a significant amount of range to most EVs in a couple of hours, and it makes full overnight top-ups a breeze even if you happened to drive more miles than usual, skipped charging for a couple of days, or programmed your car to delay charging until the wee hours when electricity rates can plummet.

tesla model s charging at v3 supercharger

Level 2 is fairly attainable, especially if you are a homeowner. Some of the supplied cords that come with EVs have swappable ends that feature 240V plugs, but if the cord that comes with the EV you’re considering doesn’t have such a feature, you can purchase standalone Level 2 home charge equipment. Either way, you’ll need a 220–240V outlet that’s connected to a dedicated circuit breaker. A consultation with an electrician is necessary to add such a circuit and make sure your panel is up to it. There are a few notable plug options, but the best and most common is called a NEMA 14-50. This is the same outlet RV parks provide for Class A motorhomes, so you might be in a plug-and-play situation if you’ve already had your garage wired up to support such an RV.

But Level 2 isn’t just found at home. It’s the predominant type found in public spaces, workplaces, and certain shopping malls. Also, the cord-end that you plug into the car looks the same as home Level 1 and Level 2 equipment. You can add a significant chunk of range if you plug in while you’re having dinner-and-a-movie with a friend or significant other, but they are not intended for a full fill from near-empty, mainly because they’re generally not located where people spend many hours in one place.

land vehicle, vehicle, car, motor vehicle, rim, automotive design, alloy wheel, hatchback, wheel, hot hatch,

Fast-Charging

Level 3 chargers are also known as DC fast chargers, and as the name suggests, this equipment can much more rapidly charge your electric car’s battery. Fast charging is particularly helpful on long trips that require intermediate charges to reach a destination because most compatible EVs can take on 100–250 miles or more of range in significantly less than an hour. Level 3 chargers differ from Level 2 charge equipment in that they utilize a different socket on the vehicle side, with extra pins intended to handle additional higher voltage.

There are three types. Tesla Superchargers have long utilized their own proprietary socket known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS) This made the extensive Supercharger network a Tesla-only recharging option for a long time. This has recently changed, and a number of other automakers currently do, or plan to, offer access to these chargers.

Until this seismic shift in recharging hardware, the vast majority of EVs outside of Tesla used the SAE Combo (also known as CCS or simply Combo) chargers. These are based on the same socket used by the Level 2 plug, but with an extra pair of large pins grafted on below. CCS-enabled cars typically have a secondary flap the user folds down to expose the socket for these extra pins.

Finally, there’s CHAdeMO, the BetaMax of the trio. This socket is mainly found on a few Mitsubishis and the Nissan Leaf, though Nissan’s future products will use the CCS interface going forward.

The rate of charge is measured in kilowatts (kW), which currently range from a low of 50 kW to a high of 350 kW depending on the specific charger. The fast-charge capability of the car itself matters, too. A car that has a maximum DC Fast charge rate of 50 kW will gain nothing by plugging into a 350 kW station, and will instead take up a spot that a car with faster-charging capability could use.

EV owners will see a noticeable dip in the charge rate once their car’s battery reaches approximately 80 percent capacity. In practical terms, an 80 or 90 percent charge is more than enough to get you down the road to the next stop. But this is also done to prevent damaging the battery pack by way of overcharging or overheating it. Think of it like pouring water into a glass. You can dump in a lot at first, but you generally slow the flow as the glass approaches full and dribble it in near the end, otherwise, you run the risk the water may overflow.

Fast-Charging Networks

Tesla’s Supercharger network is made up of Level 3 chargers, which the company strategically places around the country. The sheer number of Supercharger locations is high because the network has been built out over some 10 years. This and the fact that its chargers are reliably in working order make Tesla’s electric car charging infrastructure one of the best currently available.

For everyone else (including Tesla drivers), there are several charge networks available to the public, such as ChargePoint, Electrify America, EVGo, and others. These networks are generally newer and less extensive, so we recommend joining as many as you can in order to increase your odds of finding an available and functioning station on your travels. It’s also a good idea to download each network’s app on your phone, have an active account, and keep a physical charge card with you.

electrify america charging stations

Some automakers are also beginning to implement plug and charge, which is a way of accessing multiple networks for charging your electric car. The Mercedes EQS battery-electric sedan, for instance, can consolidate several networks under a single user account. It also includes a plug-and-charge function when using participating chargers. This allows you to simply plug your EQS in without having to interact with the charger’s app or physical charge card.

Charging on the go is further simplified by way of many electric cars’ in-dash navigation systems, which will typically suggest charging locations to stop at along your route should your EV need a charge in order to reach the final destination. That said, we recommend picking several alternate charging stations in case your range depletes quicker than expected or in the event a chosen charging station’s charger is already in use or out of order.

The Cost of Charging an Electric Car

Though the price of electricity varies by location, charging an electric car at home ought to cost notably less than filling your gas-powered car’s tank with an equivalent amount of gas. In some areas, your electricity provider may incentivize charging by lowering rates during off-peak hours. Generally, these lower rates take effect late in the evening and last through the early morning. Many electric cars allow you to schedule your daily at-home charging times, which ought to ensure your EV is charging during these off-peak hours. Prepare to spend a good deal more money on charging if you regularly rely on charging networks to recharge your electric car.

Those charging at home may want to invest in solar panels that feed a series of batteries called an energy storage system, an example of which is Tesla’s Powerwall. These systems collect energy from the sun during the day and store it for later uses, such as charging an electric car. In some areas, any excess power collected can be sold back to the local utility company. Be warned, energy storage systems can currently be prohibitively expensive.

EV Charging Etiquette

If you are a recent electric car convert, then you ought to be aware of a few of the simple etiquette guidelines that come with EV ownership. For instance, when using a charger in a public parking area, it’s best to keep tabs on your electric car’s state of charge. Once its battery is at full capacity, it’s common courtesy to move your car—even if that means hoofing it back to the charging station well before you’re ready to leave the area—so other drivers can charge their EVs. In fact, some charging networks will penalize you for keeping your car plugged into the charger after its battery reaches full capacity.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to make sure your electric car is correctly plugged in and actively charging before walking away. Faults sometimes occur within a minute or two of plugging in.

public ev charging at private homes

Once your EV’s done charging, place the charger handle back on the receptacle and neatly coil the cable. These components take a beating in everyday use and keeping them in good working order will pay dividends for you and other EV drivers alike. These cables are also a tripping hazard, so keeping them off the ground is always a smart idea. If you encounter a faulty charger, then your best bet is to notify the network of this issue so it can be fixed.

Charging an electric car may seem complex, but with the exception of the additional time it takes to get your car to its full energy capacity, it’s generally no harder than fueling up a gas- or diesel-powered vehicle. Even better, those with an at-home charger will find charging their electric car is just as easy as charging any mobile device. Just plug it in overnight, and wake up with it ready to go.

Car & Driver

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Jamaicans to benefit from income tax credit for solar systems

August 2, 2024 jrobinson

Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon. — Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon

Members of the Upper House yesterday passed the Income Tax Amendment Act without changes.

The bill provides for an income tax credit at the rate of 30 per cent of the acquisition and installation cost of a solar photovoltaic system for the taxpayer’s primary residence to a maximum cost of $4 million.

Minister Without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Skills, Digital Transformation and Information, Dr Dana Morris Dixon, who piloted the bill, said the maximum credit an individual will be allowed to claim is $1.2 million.

Senator Morris Dixon said the legislation formalises an important component of the government’s green policy.

This measure forms part of a larger goal to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, said Morris Dixon, adding that the move would substantially increase the share of renewable energy locally.

According to the Cabinet minister, the adoption of photovoltaic systems at the residential levels would lead to substantial savings on electricity bills for Jamaicans.

Leader of Opposition business in the Senate, Peter Bunting, said the legislation would create a material incentive particularly to middle and upper income taxpayers.

He argued that the tax credit would mean nothing to Jamaicans who are currently at or below the income tax threshold.

One of the requirements to benefit from the tax credit is that the taxpayer’s principal place of residence should not be used as a commercial space. Bunting noted that this would disqualify many persons who were operating their micro businesses from home.

JPS ‘FAILED THE TEST’

Meanwhile, Bunting used the opportunity to chide the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) for its lethargic approach in restoring electricity to customers in Manchester South.

He said JPS has “failed the test” in how it is carrying out restoration of power, particularly in Manchester South, but also in St Elizabeth.

The Opposition lawmaker, who is the People’s National Party caretaker for Manchester South, bemoaned the hardships being faced by the majority of residents who have been without power since July 3 when Hurricane Beryl devastated sections of Jamaica’s south coast.

“The entire Grove Town division has no electricity. Just perhaps 40 per cent of Alligator Pond, Newport and Porus have electricity,” he said.

Bunting also complained that the Cross Keys and Asia police stations that serve more than 80 per cent of the constituency have been without electricity.

“These have had no power and therefore they have no radio, they have no communication at all for the last three and a half weeks,” he said.

He said crime has increased in South Manchester, with numerous robberies, break-ins and murders recorded over the period.

“Criminals are able to move now with relative abandon so the implications are many. These are implications for security and commerce, with the police urging businesses to close early as they cannot guarantee them service after dark,” Bunting noted.

Gleaner

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Solar Buzz ready for residential growth with new NHT solar loan programme

July 17, 2024 jrobinson

Today Solar Buzz has grown its business to a team of eight and operates from The Trade Centre on Red Hills Road in Kingston. As part of the company’s growth plans, Robinson is eyeing a second location for Solar Buzz outside of Kingston. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

After 13 years of carving out a niche in the renewable energy market, Solar Buzz is ready to deepen its business with residential customers as the new solar energy loan financing programme by the National Housing Trust (NHT) takes effect.

The family-owned business, which was conceptualised with a vision of raising the standard of solar installations in Jamaica, today earns the majority of its revenues from residential battery storage installations. Still, it’s a space that CEO Jason Robinson sees as having much scope for growth.

“We are in a hurricane zone obviously, and Beryl shows us that every home needs some sort of solar system, even if it’s something small. Commercial was our first go because that’s where the financing was and it’s still easier to get financing on commercial products; but getting a net billing licence is a lot more onerous than it should be and so some of the commercial customers get frustrated and may back out of the project.

“Residential is an opportunity we see because the market is not saturated and then there is a big push for electric vehicles and if you have an EV, having your own solar system goes hand in hand,” Robinson told the Jamaica Observer.

Solar Buzz is now banking on new business from the NHT’s smart energy home improvement loan, which took effect on July 1. Under the loan arrangement, individuals who received an NHT loan at least 10 years ago can access $1.5 million each, or $3 million jointly, to purchase solar panels and batteries, solar water heaters, solar insulation, other renewable energy technology such as windmills, hydropower and biomass; rainwater harvesting and storage systems to include water tanks and pumps.

The loans are being disbursed at an interest rate of 5 per cent with a payback period of up to 10 years. The new loan programme comes at a time when lithium-ion battery prices are also trending down.

“It’s a game changer for a couple of reasons: NHT financing is our main source of residential financing now just because the interest rates for the regular banks are so high because of what’s happening in the market now.

“People are working from home and they realise that even with a blip from JPS, they lose connection with their
Zoom meeting or school-from-home meeting, etc. We have been trying to work with the NHT for years and so them coming on stream with this loan product is really expected to drive growth in this industry,” Robinson Business Observer.

Currently, roughly 75 per cent of Solar Buzz’s business comes from residential lithium-ion battery storage systems.

Founded in June 2011 by brothers Jason and Justin, along with their father Gordon, Solar Buzz has grown from humble beginnings to become a key player in the Caribbean’s solar energy landscape.

The inspiration for Solar Buzz began during Robinson’s early years in California, where he witnessed the State’s progressive stance on renewable energy and recycling from 2002 to 2010. During this period, Robinson said he engaged in various environmental groups, took relevant classes, and interned at different businesses, solidifying his passion for the field.

The inspiration for Solar Buzz began during Robinson’s early years in California, where he witnessed the state’s progressive stance on renewable energy and recycling from 2002 to 2010. During this period, Robinson engaged in various environmental groups, took relevant classes, and interned at different businesses, solidifying his passion for the field.

“I got involved in everything solar business because I knew then that it was a field that I wanted to be involved in one day. Then in 2008, when the energy crisis hit and oil prices skyrocketed to over US$100 per barrel people started going out of business.

“Because my family is here, I was focused on what was happening in Jamaica, and I saw that as the opportune time for me to try to work in the industry, so I moved down in 2010, worked with a company, kinda learned how they did business, but I didn’t like the approach and thought I could do a better job,” Robinson recalled.

The early years were challenging. Securing financing for solar installations was difficult, pushing Solar Buzz to focus on energy efficiency and educating clients on optimising their solar systems.

However, a significant turning point for Solar Buzz came in 2014 when the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) launched a solar financing programme. That initiative allowed clients to use their solar systems as collateral, unlocking access to solar financing for the first time.

Robinson credits Edison Galbraith, general manager for channels, relationships and marketing and his team at DBJ, for this groundbreaking development, which catalysed the growth of the residential and small commercial solar industry in Jamaica.

“It was huge. I credit Edison Galbraith and his team,” Robinson said, adding that the company’s client base currently includes Island Smiles, Gray’s Peppers, Chas E Ransom’s Group, Caribbean Foods, and The University of the West Indies.

Today Solar Buzz has grown its business to a team of eight and operates from The Trade Centre on Red Hills Road in Kingston. Its product and services have also expanded to include solar energy systems that offer up to 90 per cent savings on electricity bills for commercial and residential use; glass tinting for commercial, residential, and auto/fleet applications to provide instant reduction of glare, heat, and UV exposure; solar water heaters; solar pool pumps; solar inflatable lantern that inflate to 8 inches and provides 15 square feet of light and up to 12 hours of illumination, along with solar hybrid flashlights.

Exploring partnerships

As the company works to expand its presence in the residential market, Robinson stated that Solar Buzz is exploring strategic partnerships with developers and companies selling electric vehicles such as ATL Auto. The CEO is also looking to deepen its relationship with the bank and insurance firms.

“So far, our partners and clients have trusted us to install systems that are protected against up to category four hurricanes and we want to keep that relationship going. We have never considered ourselves to be the cheapest but our clients come to us because they know they are getting quality products and so we want to build on those relationships,” he said.

Robinson is also taking a serious look at financing options to prepare for growth opportunities. While the company is open to both private and public partnerships, Robinson currently leans towards private collaborations.

“We have really built the company out of self-funding and we are getting to the point where we need to look at how do we scale the business. Everything is on the table right now, we are looking at how best to scale, who to partner with and the opportunities that are there, what developers to work with and I think that is going to be a big focus for us going forward,”

“As it relates to going to public, its something that we would look at further down the line, I don’t think we are there yet to want to go public because that comes with a lot of responsibilities,” he said.

As part of the growth plans, Robinson is also eyeing a second location for Solar Buzz outside of Kingston.

ROBINSON…we are in a hurricane zone obviously, and Beryl shows us that every home needs some sort of solar system, even if it’s something small

Solar Buzz is banking on new business from the NHT’s smart energy home improvement loan which took effect on July 1. Roughly 75 per cent of company revenues currently comes from residential solar installations; however, Robinson see more scope for growth in that segment of the market.

Solar Buzz deals in lithum battery storage systems; grid-tie solar systems; glass tinting for commercial, residential, and auto/fleet applications; solar water heaters; solar pool pumps; solar inflatable lantern and solar hybrid flashlights.

Jamaica Observer

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Income Tax Credit for Persons Who Acquire and Install Solar Photovoltaic System

July 12, 2024 jrobinson

Income Tax Credit for Persons Who Acquire and Install Solar Photovoltaic System

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday (July 9), passed the Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2024, which seeks to implement a regime to provide income tax credit to individuals who acquire and instal a solar photovoltaic system at their primary place of residence.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, had informed of the initiative during his 2023/24 Budget presentation.

“This Bill seeks to achieve this by setting out the appropriate legal framework that would allow individuals to benefit from this income tax credit.

This measure forms part of a much broader goal of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and substantially increase the share of renewable energy in our local energy mix,” Dr. Clarke told the House.

The Minister said Jamaica has set a target to achieve a 50 per cent use of renewable energy in the electricity generation sector by 2030, and that the utilisation of appropriately targeted fiscal measures is critical to achieving this result.

“You will also recall that in my budget presentation earlier this year, as a part of the 2024/25 Budget, I indicated that the Government will also be reducing the corporate income tax rate for independent power producers producing 75 per cent or more of their energy from renewable sources, from 33 1/3 per cent to 25 per cent,” Dr. Clarke said.

“The objective of this rate reduction is to promote growth within the renewable energy sector but providing a more favourable tax environment and providing more of an incentive for larger-scale investment in renewable energy technologies, such as wind and solar,” he added.

The Minister said that the major components utilised in the installation of a solar photovoltaic system, such as the solar photovoltaic panels, solar inverters and solar batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, are also exempt from the payment of General Consumption Tax (GCT).

“These fiscal measures are proof of the Government’s commitment to achieve the target of 50 per cent use of renewables by 2030. The Government will continue to explore measures, fiscal and otherwise, to ensure that this target is met. The Bill before us sets out the criteria that will enable individuals who have installed a solar photovoltaic system at their primary residence to benefit from the income tax credit,” Dr. Clarke said.

In addition, the Bill makes provisions for, among other things, an income tax credit at the rate of 30 per cent of the acquisition and installation cost of the solar photovoltaic system for the taxpayer primary residence, up to a maximum cost of $4 million.

“This means that the maximum credit an individual will be allowed to claim is $1.2 million. This measure shall apply to solar photovoltaic systems acquired and installed on or after January 1, 2023 [that is] for the year of assessment 2023. The value of the income tax credit will be applied to the acquisition installation price of the solar photovoltaic system and will be claimable in the year the system is installed,” he stated.

“The income tax credit will be used by the taxpayer to offset their total income tax liability equal to the total value of the credit received. The credit would be non-refundable, i.e, the total value of the credit exceeds the total taxpayer’s liability; the taxpayer would not receive a cash refund. A carry-forward provision is included to allow the individual to apply the unused portion of the credit to future tax years,” he added.

Dr. Clarke said the amount of credit applied would be restricted to a maximum of 50 per cent of income tax payable by the taxpayer in the assessed year, with the remaining amount being carried forward and applied to the future tax year.

In order to claim the credit, the taxpayer will have to provide proof such as invoices and independent verification that the solar photovoltaic system is installed and is generating electricity.

“The Bill [also] seeks to amend the income tax prescribed form order 2015, to prescribe new taxpayer return forms to facilitate the tax credit in the relevant forms,” Dr. Clarke said.

JIS

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Robinson bats for policy to make new builds solar-ready

July 12, 2024 jrobinson

ROBINSON…we have seen…on the commercial side where you go on the roofs of some of these prominent businesses and its just roof membrane with plyboard and zinc. No weight can go on the roofs

AS the dialogue around solar systems strengthens following the passage of Hurricane Beryl, vice-president of Jamaica Energy Renewable Association and CEO of Solar Buzz Jason Robinson is emphasising the need for government policy to ensure that new constructions are solar-ready, as Jamaica progresses in its transition to renewable energy.

“We’re seeing a shift where more architects understand the importance of integrating solar into their designs. Previously, the focus was on aesthetics for clients but now functionality is paramount,” Robinson told the Jamaica Observer.

However, he warns that without mandated policies, builders might avoid incorporating solar-friendly features, in order to cut costs.

“We have seen…on the commercial side where you go on the roofs of some of these prominent businesses and its just roof membrane with plyboard and zinc. You can’t put any solar on that — and they are massive buildings…This needs to change,” he said.

Robinson’s call for government regulations requiring new constructions to be designed with solar capabilities aligns with a target set by the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology for Jamaica to achieve 33 per cent of electricity generation from renewables by 2030, and 50 per cent by 2037.

By next year the Government had projected to hit 320 megawatts of solar and wind generation, 120 megawatts of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and 74 megawatts of hydro waste energy and/or biomass.

On July 1 the National Housing Trust (NHT) Smart Energy Home Improvement Loan took effect, thereby creating a pathway for property owners to access $1.5 million each, or $3 million jointly, to purchase solar panels and batteries, solar water heaters, solar insulation; other renewable energy technology such as windmills, hydropower and biomass, rainwater-harvesting and storage systems to include water tanks and pumps.

The loans are being disbursed at an interest rate of five per cent with a payback period of up to 10 years.

Robinson noted that while much progress has been made to support the country’s transition to cleaner energy, he said the missing element is a solar building code to guide how developers move forward.

Checks made by the Business Observer show that internationally, safety regulations are also in place to govern the process of solar installations. For example, in Minnesota, United States, solar companies cannot place panels within three feet of the edge of roofs and must also create pathways of that same width between arrays, to provide access for firefighters and emergency personnel. Such guidance may be necessary for new apartment complexes.

“Going forward we hope that there will be policies to say, ‘Build with solar in mind’. The Government is reducing the duties on electric vehicles but they’re not forcing developers of apartment complexes to build with the ability to install an EV charger for the meter at your parking spots,” Robinson said.

“We get calls all the time from people that live in an apartment complex and we have to tell them it can’t be done, it has to go somewhere else. It’s very inconvenient because the young professionals are the ones buying these apartments and want these electric vehicles,” he continued.

Robinson acknowledges that policy changes cannot happen overnight without disrupting industries and livelihoods, but stresses the urgency of collaborative efforts. “We need a holistic approach. Reducing duties on EVs is a step in the right direction but we also need the infrastructure to support these vehicles. Why is this progress being slowed down?”

Designing roofs with solar in mind

For optimal solar installations Robinson recommends southward-facing roofs and metal-standing seam roofs which allow for easy installation without roof penetration, thereby preventing leaks. He also suggests slab or concrete roofs for commercial customers as they offer flexibility in panel orientation.

Robinson is hopeful about upcoming government policies and tax breaks that could further incentivise solar adoption.

“We’re looking forward to property tax breaks for solar-equipped homes, as mentioned by the Ministry of Finance. These initiatives could significantly boost the renewable energy sector in Jamaica.”

Jamaica Observer

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New NHT contributor benefits take effect July 1

July 1, 2024 jrobinson

Effective Monday (July 1), the National Housing Trust (NHT) will be launching a series of policy changes and initiatives that will significantly benefit contributors looking to buy or improve their homes.

There will be an expansion of the ’10 Plus’ home improvement loan.

As more Jamaicans become homeowners, there has been an increased demand for home-improvement financing.

Come Monday, all mortgagors will be able to access their home improvement loan after only 10 years, a significant reduction from the previous 15-year wait time. With a maximum loan amount of up to J$3.5 million, contributors will be able to undertake more extensive renovations to their properties with a shorter wait period.

‘Smart Energy’ home improvement loan

Under the Smart Energy loan facility, homeowners may access up to J$1.5 million to install energy-saving technology such as solar panels, batteries, solar water heaters, and solar insulation, as well as other renewable energy technology including windmills, hydropower, and biomass.

In addition, homeowners can also use the loan to install rainwater harvesting and storage systems, including tanks and pumps. Contributors will access this loan at a standard five per cent interest rate with a payback period of up to 10 years or by the time the homeowner reaches age 70, whichever comes first. This initiative promotes climate change resilience through improved energy-saving technologies, further enforcing NHT’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Smart Energy grant (public sector pensioners)

In addition to the Smart Energy loan, the NHT is expanding its grant offering with the introduction of the Smart Energy grant. The programme will target public sector pensioners, who will be able to access up to J$1.5 million to enhance their homes with energy-saving technologies. The Smart Energy grant will benefit 30 pensioners per parish each year, for the next three years.

Beneficiaries will be selected at random based on the following criteria:

At the point of retirement, the pensioner was earning less than $30,000.99 per week;
Must be a homeowner (this includes owners of non-NHT constructed houses);
Must be 60 years or older;
Must not have already installed these systems;

Preference will be given to pensioners living in areas with unreliable or irregular electricity supply. This grant will help them reduce their utility bills and minimise their environmental impact. The NHT will advise when it will begin accepting applications for the Smart Energy Grant.

Policy change to benefit young adults

To address the rising need for housing among young Jamaicans, the NHT will now reserve a minimum of 10 per cent of NHT’s housing solutions to contributors under 36 years old. With the NHT’s 100 per cent financing (subject to affordability) for its scheme development, this new policy change opens the door for more young people to access NHT developments.

Homestarter programme

The state-owned entity will also make homeownership a reality for more young adults with its HomestarterpProgramme. The programme offers one-bedroom starter apartment complexes with easy access to urban centres. An innovative feature of the programme is its optional buy-back clause, which allows contributors to sell their units back to the NHT within 15 years.

This will free up the new mortgagor to access a new non-homeowner’s loan benefit from the NHT for the purchase of a new home. Currently, the programme includes housing developments in Vineyard Town and Howard Avenue, St. Andrew, and a planned development at Barracks Road, St James.

OUR Today

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Reduce your JPS bill…plug into solar for backup — JREA’s Robinson

June 26, 2024 jrobinson

Industry data now show utility-level solar costing between US$29 and US$96 per megawatt-hour (MWh) when compared to US$39 – US$101 per MWh for natural gas. Additionally, PV panel manufacturing costs have also fallen from $5 per watt in 2000 to less than $0.25 in 2023.

Even as the country’s sole light and power distribution company, Jamaica Public Service (JPS), takes steps to diversify its energy mix, director of Jamaica Renewable Energy Association (JREA) Jason Robinson has called on more residential clients to plug into solar as a form of back-up.

“Every home in Jamaica needs to be plugged in to some form of solar plus storage. Reduce your JPS bill but also have back-up power for safety. During blackouts the photovoltaic (PV) batteries act as a giant surge protector, so in the event there are fluctuations from the grid — which could damage your TV and other household appliances — users will be insulated from all of that,” Robinson told reporters during a Jamaica Observer Business Forum last week.

Having recently taken up the task to continue the build out of Jamaica’s solar energy resilience from Jamaica Energy Resilience Alliance (JERA), the JREA director, who is also the CEO of Solarbuzz Jamaica Limited, said the group as a successor will continue to advocate for solar adoption across, not just commercial and industrial enterprises but also for residential clients.

“These are the people we don’t want to have to leave the island in a case where, let’s say, the national grid should go down for six months. I say this because, following hurricanes in Puerto Rico, about 20-30 per cent of their population is said to have fled to the US after months without power. Here in Jamaica we can’t afford for that to happen, which is why we need to build resilience within both the commercial and residential markets — this as we also push other aspects of the global green campaign,” Robinson said.

As Jamaica continues to faces numerous climate change risks and high energy costs, stakeholders believe clean energy technologies like solar and battery storage can help to significantly mitigate these impacts, enhancing energy resilience while improving business profitability.

Considered to be the cheapest of the various forms of alternate energy sources, industry data now show utility-level solar costing between US$29 and US$96 per megawatt hour (MWh) when compared to US$39-US$101 per MWh for natural gas. Additionally, PV panel manufacturing costs, which have fallen from approximately US$5 per watt in 2000 to less than US$0.25 in 2023, have also created more opportunities for subsidised installations in some countries.

As reports from global sustainability firm Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) project wind and solar projects remaining on track to account for more than a third of the world’s electricity by 2030, more countries across the globe have stepped up their adoption of these forms of energy. Locally, a US$1.2-billion price tag has been attached to the realising of clean energy transition — a move under which Jamaica is seeking to achieve its target of having 50 per cent renewables (a mix of wind, solar and energy) by 2030.

Mark Dennis, chair and senior energy expert for JERA and who played an active role in the recent re-energising of Jamaica’s solar resilience under the just-completed, three-and-half-year Strengthening Energy Sector Resilience (SERS) in Jamaica programme, further supported the adoption of solar technologies locally.

“Whether for commercial or residential clients, if there is a disruption to the grid for any reason— man-made or natural — being plugged into solar technologies will allow clients to still have power flowing to their facilities. As a consultant, my recommendation is never for people to completely dismiss JPS, as we still need a central grid, but people should also begin to supplement their usage with solar as a viable form of back-up,” he said.

Jamaica Observer

Alternative Energy Electricity News Renewable Energy Solar Buzz Featured

Push for more businesses to adopt solar resilient systems…JERA completes 3.5-year SERS programme, passes baton to JREA

June 26, 2024 jrobinson

The Jamaica Renewable Energy Association (JREA) is looking to further heat up the market as it continues to lobby for the adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) resilient systems among the energy solution mix for more businesses across Jamaica.

Jason Robinson, CEO of Solarbuzz Jamaica and JREA board member, speaking at a recent Jamaica Observer Business Forum, said that while its forerunner, the Jamaica Energy Resilience Alliance (JERA), has done a wonderful job in starting a ‘revolution’ in the industry, there are some other areas concerning policy on which his entity wants to double down on as it takes the baton and build up the momentum.

“We want to have a greater working relationship with government and also with more partners in the financing sector to help with the build-out of residential solutions for more of our clients. As efforts to develop the country’s renewable energy footprint gets bigger each year, we believe there will be lots more opportunities in this area under which businesses can thrive. The JERA has over the last three year significantly helped to pull the industry together and we will do our best in moving those efforts forward,” he said.

The JERA, following its culmination of a three and a half years partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) led by the CADMUS Group, has sought to re-energise the country’s energy sector. Through the implementation of its Strengthening Energy Sector Resilience in Jamaica programme (SESR-Jamaica), the body has helped in the adoption of distributed and resilient solar PV and PV+ technologies.

In bringing together sector players comprising independent energy advisory services, financing options and a network of qualified and reputable solar PV installers, the programme supported more than 100 commercial and industrial businesses offering tailored assistance, regulatory guidance and access to financing opportunities for investment quality projects.

“We had several entities that formed JERA, made up of local, international, private sector and academia all aligned to the same goal of strengthening the resilience of Jamaica’s energy sector. Over the life of our programme we’ve managed to mobilise US$5.4 million for the financing sector in Jamaica which was spread across 24 commercial and industrial clients and 35 facilities. In other task areas we also provided training for approximately 97 students and professionals in solar installation. In the last few years I would say that the JERA as a body has definitely moved the needle in the mobilisation of solar PV systems,” said Mark Dennis, chair and senior energy expert for JERA.

“Our programme wrapped up on June 14, but it paved the way in re-energising the industry as it demonstrated to the various stakeholders that there can be a seamless way in doing things. We’ve created a database and is now looking to hand over to the JREA for them to continue that push we’ve started. Based on the work they have been doing in terms of their advocacy and skill sets, we believe they are the most ideal [body] to pick up from where we have left off,” Dennis further noted.

Based on its technical experience from working with a number of clients, the lobby group said it is confident that a new wave of solar PV/PV+ adoption will be robust and consistent across multiple businesses beyond the traditional hotel and manufacturing sectors, to include new areas such as agriculture, medicine and business process outsourcing.

For agriculture, the entity said that high daytime loads due to water pumping for irrigation and cold storage of produce will result in solar PV becoming a more cost-effective solution. This, as agrivoltaics offers additional benefits such as shade and temperature control for certain crops.

Within business process outsourcing and medical facilities which usually drives high energy costs, accounting for about 70 per cent of their electricity bill, installing PV panels, the body said will significantly help to reduce these costs as it increased roofing insulation and lowers daytime AC loads. This, largely as up to 50 per cent of the heat in a space, can come from an uninsulated roof.

“Any facility where most consumption occurs between 8 am – 5 pm stands to benefit greatly,” the JERA indicated, noting that for those entities in the hotel and tourism sectors, usually having high night-time loads and lower daytime consumption, they too will also find solar PV feasible, particularly when combined with storage solutions.

Business development manager & director at Jamaica Macaroni Factory Nick Chen, in sharing the experience of his company with journalists during the forum, said that as a result of the assistance received from the JERA to set up a PV system across its business, this has since then allowed it to power about 60 per cent of operations from the alternate energy source during the daytime.

“Since installation, we’ve been able to save about 20 per cent on our JPS bill. This has been a major help for us in our cost savings and our ability to become more competitive, especially in our export market where our main brand, Marco Polo, is sold the most,” he said.

Jamaica Observer

Alternative Energy News Renewable Energy Solar Buzz Featured Solar Energy

Nervous banks

June 26, 2024 jrobinson

Financiers shy away from funding solar systems

PLAYERS in the nation’s renewable energy sector say banks are still nervous about lending to entities wanting to instal solar systems to help reduce their electricity bills each month.

The issue came to light at the Jamaica Observer Business Forum held recently. The forum was held to look at the successes of the Strengthening Energy Sector Resilience in Jamaica (SESR-Jamaica) programme which lasted for three-and-a-half years which targeted commercial and industrial entities for reducing their power costs and green their operations.

However this comment from Mark Dennis, chair, Jamaica Energy Resilience Alliance (JERA) and senior energy advisor to SESR-Jamaica, said one of the things he has had to do in the programme is to dispel some of the myths banks have surrounding solar power systems for businesses.

“One of the biggest myths that we have encountered particularly in the financing sector is that the technology is not mature enough or that it fails too often and that has kinda fed into a lot of the apprehension that banks have [to lend for solar systems], so we thought it important to demonstrate in a definitive way that it works,” Dennis told the forum.

His point was supported by Jason Robinson, vice-president of Jamaica Renewable Energy Association (JREA) and CEO of Solar Buzz.

“What we have seen over the years is that there has always been a problem to get the financial institutions on board. They have always been a bit hesitant because what they are scared of is default rates, that’s the main thing.”

But Robinson said once installers of solar systems are installing systems that perform as promised, clients are not going to default on their loans.

“The key is to have these installers as members of Jamaica Renewable Energy Association to really get the confidence of the banks in there because the banks haven’t really put any cohesive energy lending policies in place,” he added.

Robinson said his experience is that there is only one person at each bank who interacts with Government agencies like the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) about loans targeted to those wanting to instal solar systems, but when these people move on to other jobs, the knowledge goes with them.

“There is no focus, so like how the Government gives focus to the BPO sector and there is a cohesive push to get investments here, we haven’t gotten that from the Government for renewavle energy…especially distributed energy,” Robinson pointed out.

Lasco Manufacturing, which in April launched a 500megawatt solar photovoltaic plus (PV+) system at its White Marl, St Catherine, location, he said, was chosen to be part of the programme to demonstrate definitively that the technology works.Lasco had a 10KW solar hybrid system installed which also provides power to the adjacent Central Village multi-purpose centre.

But Dennis who has been having seminars with banks about solar power to encorage them to finance energy systems particularly for commercial and industrial entities said he detected that some of the misconceptions the banks have about the technology stems from them being poorly installed and stressed that that apprehension can be overcome by ensuring that those chosen to instal the systems are registered with the Jamaica Renewable Energy Alliance (JREA) which guarantees they are well-trained.

“They are getting a lot better now, but the feedback that we are getting is that some of them are still a little hesitant and that’s understandable, because how banks operate, they look at the risk, and for them, there has to be adequate collateral or security for them to lend. We have seen a trend over the last several years, with banks being a little more amenable to lending to the renewable energy industry,” Dennis added.

Edison Galbraith, general manager for channels, relationship and marketing at the DBJ, put some of the reticence down to cycles and the perceived risks the financial institutions see in lending for solar projects outside of large projects aimed at supplying the grid.

“The financial sector is fairly broad and they have a lot of options available to them, so they are looking at all different products and determining where to put their money, so it’s critical, and we’ve done some work over the years and getting financial institutions, suppliers in the market, energy auditors to go out there and get businesses to take up renewable energy,” Galbraith said.

He said one of the key outcomes of the SESR-Jamaica programme is that it has re-energised the industry to get more persons onboard.

DBJ provides loans, grants for energy audits, guarantees under the credit enhancement facility and work with suppliers in the market to get leads and customers from JERA.

He said there was a lot of activity from companies wanting to instal solar systems from 2013 to 2017 but that interest died down and is only now being rekindled.

“DBJ started its energy programme probably around 2012 and over that period we supported over 300 businesses getting energy efficiency in the first instance as well as renewable energy systems,” Galbraith pointed out.

He said that programme covered the poultry sector, factories, barber shops, offices, small hotels and residences which can borrow to $5 million.

“The bulk of that money, $4.5 billion, was done between 2013 to 2019,” Galbraith added.

He said the default rate on those loans is less than one per cent, leading players in the industry to question why private sector banks are still hesitant to lend for the projects.

The revelation brought consternation from Robinson.

“The majority of Jamaicans want solar for their homes and the lending for that is extremely difficult… even from small and medium-sized enterprises, it’s difficult to get the financing for it, and the banks really should be using the systems as collateral, not asking for additional collateral because the systems have extreme value,” Robinson said.

He pointed out that if it wasn’t for the DBJ launching their energy facility, a renewable energy system sector for distributed energy would not have developed.

He wants Government to give more support to the sector to help get loans to fund the systems which save entities millions in electricity bills each year.

“We have installed for many factories and that offset up to 70 per cent of bills,” Robinson pointed out.

“The banks should just be giving money away to those types of businesses [to instal solar systems], in my opinion, because the impact is so huge because there is no demand charge,” he added.

Nicholas Chen, director at Jamaica Macaroni Factory, which installed a solar system at its factory 18 months ago, said he had to put up collateral to get a loan for a solar system at the factory and questioned how many other companies can find such collateral to get a loan.

He said his system has saved the factory 20 per cent of its energy bill since installation in January last year.

But all is not lost, Dennis noted. From the seminars, he said he is seeing positive responses from banks to consider lending to companies wanting to instal solar systems.

“The responses were good and we saw a marked difference after the workshops. They are now more willing to lend. At the end of the programme, we managed to mobilise over US$5 million in financing for solar PV systems; half of that has already been invested already.”

The DBJ itself said 17 financial institutions are working with the DBJ and a lot of these are not required to put cash up for loans.

Jamaica Observer

Alternative Energy Environment Government News

Gov’t moves to prevent influx of substandard lithium-ion batteries

June 7, 2024 jrobinson

The Government is taking proactive measures to address the potential influx of substandard lithium-ion batteries into Jamaica as countries move to tighten regulations on their importation.

Chief technical director in the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Brian Richardson, told JIS News that the measures will ensure public safety and environmental protection.

“The ministry intends to collaborate with the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) to develop and enforce stringent standards for battery safety and quality in keeping with the Standards Act (1969). We have asked the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, the parent ministry of the BSJ, to facilitate the development of a quality-control standard for lithium-ion batteries,” he said.

Lithium-ion batteries are popular because of their energy storage technology and are contained in equipment such as electric vehicles and scooters, video cameras, cellphones, bluetooth headsets and laptops.

However, inferior batteries can pose serious threats, including fire hazards, environmental pollution if not disposed of appropriately and financial loss.

Richardson said that in addition to domestic efforts, international collaboration is essential in establishing comprehensive regulations for lithium-ion batteries in Jamaica.

“By working closely with more affluent international regulatory bodies, we can adopt globally recognised standards and best practices and benefit from this shared knowledge and expertise, rather than trying to replicate these standards from scratch,” he added.

Jamaica Observer

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