Solar Buzz Featured Archives - Page 4 of 5

Snack brand Chippies goes solar with CIBC loan

February 24, 2023 jrobinson

Left to right: Annique Dawkins, Head of Corporate Banking CIBC FirstCaribbean; Adrian Grant Jr., Managing Director of Native Food Packers Ltd and Jason Robinson, CEO of Solar Buzz during a tour of the solar facilities at Native Food Packers Limited which was financed by CIBC FirstCaribbean

Native Food Packers Limited, trading under the Chippies brand, has been in operation for more than half a century and is well known for its various snacks including banana, plantain and breadfruit chips.

Over the years, the company adjusted its business model to suit the environment and is again doing so. This time, to go solar.

Adrian Grant Jr., Managing Director of Native Food Packers Ltd advised that the initiative, to go solar, is geared towards cutting costs, gaining a more competitive edge in the local global market and promoting an eco-friendly environment.

He further advised that CIBC FirstCaribbean has been their bank of choice which started with his father.

Over the years CIBC FirstCaribbean has supported the company, providing financial support including the recent solar project with panels installed by Solar Buzz Jamaica (SBJ).

He said that since the installation of the solar panels, the energy cost has been decreased by more than 50 per cent and is expected to be reduced even more which undoubtedly will improve the financial performance of the company and position it for further growth in the future.

CIBC FirstCaribbean is known for its financial strength, prudent management and the structuring and execution of various deals regionally including clean energy across the Caribbean and Latin America.

Annique Dawkins, Head of Corporate Banking, Jamaica said the bank is focused on supporting lending in diverse segments to facilitate savings and business transformation and was happy to support Native Food Packers Limited with this initiative.

“The bank will continue to support its customers who are keen on responding to climate change by adopting green energy sources such as solar and wind-generated power, which do not emit greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming”, she expanded.

Celebrating the achievements of “Chippies” Jason Robinson, CEO of Solar Buzz said, “we are a renewable energy company with a focus on educating our clients on how to maximise their overall savings through solar energy and energy efficiency measures. We create detailed commercial proposals for renewable energy projects for presentation to financial institutions who are willing to lend for the purpose of Going Green. CIBC FirstCaribbean has plans to be a leader in financing renewables in Jamaica and Solar Buzz is excited to work with them to achieve this goal.”

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Solar Energy, A Safer Investment Than Stocks

February 16, 2023 jrobinson

Investing in solar energy with battery storage for a home or business can be considered a safer investment than investing in the stock market for several reasons. Firstly, solar energy with battery storage is a tangible and physical asset that is directly connected to the property, unlike stocks which are intangible assets that are not directly related to the property. This means that the value of a solar energy with battery storage investment is based on the tangible assets of the solar panels, batteries, and equipment, whereas the value of a stock is based on the performance and perceived value of the underlying company.

Another factor to consider is that solar energy with battery storage can provide immediate savings on energy bills. As the property owner is producing their own energy, they won’t have to rely on the grid as much, which can help to lower their energy costs. The savings generated from the solar system can then be reinvested into a savings plan that includes stocks, mutual funds, etc. Additionally, the value of the property may increase as it becomes more energy-efficient, furthermore providing a potential return on investment. On the other hand, returns from stock investments can be volatile and uncertain and may take a long time to materialize.

Another important point is that solar energy with battery storage is a low-maintenance form of energy production. Once a solar system with battery storage is installed, there are very few ongoing costs or maintenance requirements. This makes it a relatively low-risk investment, as there are few unexpected expenses or surprises that can arise. This is different from the stock market, where the value of the stocks can be affected by many factors such as market conditions, political changes, and even global pandemics which can cause unexpected losses.

Additionally, solar energy with battery storage is a decentralized form of energy production. This means that it can be produced at the point of consumption, eliminating the need for transmission and distribution networks and reducing the risk of power outages. This makes it an especially appealing option as it can help to increase energy independence and reliability, as the stored energy can be used to power the property during power outages or grid disruptions, which can save money and prevent interruptions to daily operations.

Finally, solar energy with battery storage is a versatile and flexible form of energy production. It can be used to power homes, businesses, and even vehicles. This means that there are many different ways to invest in solar energy with battery storage, and many different types of returns on investment that are possible. This is different from the stock market, where the investment options are limited to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

Therefore, investing your money in solar energy with battery storage for your property can be considered a safer investment than investing in the stock market for several reasons. Solar energy with battery storage is a tangible and physical asset that is directly connected to the property, providing immediate savings on energy bills and increasing the value of the property. It also provides energy independence and reliability. Additionally, it is a low-maintenance, decentralised, and versatile form of energy production, making it a relatively low-risk investment with many different types of returns possible, unlike the stock market which can be highly volatile and subject to sudden changes in value.

Jason Robinson, CEO Solar Buzz Jamaica

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Is Jamaica Ready For The Tesla Solar Roof?

May 12, 2017 Webmaster

The Tesla solar roof is a wonderful innovative technology that will revolutionize the solar industry especially as more companies start to produce their own solar roofs. Tesla launched their solar roof with combined Powerwall battery system this week and everyone got very excited. But how excited should we be in Jamaica?

Here at Solar Buzz we get a lot of calls regarding new technology and the solar roof has been on people’s minds for 7 months since the initial announcement. My response to prospective solar clients would be to not get too excited about owning a solar roof in Jamaica anytime soon, for a few reasons:

Not available outside USA initially: If you go to the Tesla Solar Roof page there is a calculator. It will predict the cost of the roof but this calculator only works for US addresses. As with the Tesla Powerwall battery system, which launched over 2 years ago, demand will be high and availability will be limited to the USA until all the kinks are worked out. I have yet to come across a Tesla Powerwall battery system in Jamaica so I would not look for a solar roof in Jamaica for a while.
New technology is expensive: The solar roof is very new therefore the price is going to be very high. On the Tesla calculator I typed in a Florida address and put the house size at 2,000sf, the costing is below:

A 2,000sf roof would cost J$10,500,000 before shipping and is estimated to offset 70% of your electricity bill. Florida has a solar tax credit but Jamaica has much higher energy costs so let’s say these even out for simplicity. A rough payback of this roof in Jamaica would be about 20yrs which puts us back to the early days of solar when regular panels were expensive at US$2/watt compared to US$0.50/watt now. Solar did not sell in those early days because the payback was too long. Actually solar is very cheap now and the solar market still struggles in Jamaica! This is mostly due to the lack of and a tedious financing process in Jamaica but that’s a whole different thesis.

The Tesla calculator assumes the home would only need one Powerwall battery bank which produces 14kWh. For a home with a family of four, the solar system would mostly likely need at least two Powerwall battery banks to achieve 100% offset, so add another US$7,000 to the cost.

This assessment is not to discourage anyone towards the solar roof as eventually all roofs will be made of solar tiles. However until that time conventional solar systems are at their most inexpensive levels of all time. A homeowner could buy a new roof and install a traditional solar system to offset 100% of electricity costs and payback for both in half the time of a Tesla solar roof right now. Eventually this will change but at this moment in time do not bank on a solar roof being available in Jamaica or feasible for many years to come. The time you spend waiting on the Tesla solar roof in Jamaica you could have bought a traditional solar system, a new roof and paid off both through your energy savings.

Solar Buzz Jamaica CEO-Jason Robinson

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TOMBLIN REJECTS ‘SCARE TACTICS’ ACCUSATION

March 18, 2017 Webmaster

For full article with audio clips click here

President of the Jamaica Public Service Company, JPS, Kelly Tomblin, is rejecting claims that she’s using scare tactics to keep businesses from turning to renewable sources of energy.

In an interview yesterday on Nationwide This Morning, Chief Executive Officer of Solar Buzz Jamaica, Jason Robinson, accused JPS of using ‘scare tactics’.

This was in response to comments attributed to Ms. Tomblin in a recent Gleaner report that the company could be forced to raise electricity rates if its top customers leave the grid.

But speaking with Nationwide News yesterday, Ms. Tomblin sought to clarify the comments she made to the Gleaner newspaper.

She’s insisting she’s not using a scare tactics.

Ms. Tomblin says she would prefer companies stay on the power grid.

This, as the intermittent use of the grid is more of a burden on JPS than if a company were to be removed completely.

And, Ms. Tomblin says the JPS doesn’t build LNG plants contrary to Mr Robinson’s claim.

He’d said the light and power company has been offering to set up small LNG plants for large companies, which would also take them off the grid.

She’s also refuting his claim that JPS’s rates are going up.

Nationwide

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SOLAR BUZZ CEO ACCUSES JPS OF SCARE TACTICS

March 18, 2017 Webmaster

For full article with interview clips click here

CEO of Solar Buzz Jamaica, Jason Robinson, says the Jamaica Public Service Company, JPS, is using scare tactics to keep businesses from leaving the grid and turning to alternative energy.

In a recent interview with the Gleaner newspaper, JPS CEO Kelly Tomblin was quoted as saying that it could be forced to raise electricity rates if its top customers leave their grid.

Robinson says could mitigate any losses from clients who’ve switched to alternative energy by running a more efficient operation and doing more to combat theft.

He says JPS is already doing a lot to diversify its own fuel sources to keep energy costs down.

And, Robinson is also criticizing the power company for being hypocritical.

He claims JPS has been offering to set up small LNG plants for large companies, which would also take them off the grid.

Nationwide

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Climate Change Awareness

December 11, 2015 Webmaster

This week Paris hosts nearly 200 governments at the climate talk in hopes to agree a deal that keeps the dangers of global warming in check. In light of this historic event taking place, Solar Buzz Jamaica wants to educate you on what you can do to save the planet for the generations to come.

What is global warming?

Carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases are released by burning of fossil fuels, land clearing, agriculture, and other human activities believed to be the primary sources of the global warming.

Resulting from this, the catastrophic climate change that has occurred in the last 50 years doesn’t just threaten our health, but our environments, homes, food and water supplies as well as the survival of many species.

What can be done?

Eat less meat – agriculture produces high levels of greenhouse gases.

Burn less turf – it doesn’t just cause biodiversity damage, but is more carbon-intensive than coal.

Reduce, reuse, recycle – recycle paper, plastic, metal and glass. Let store managers and manufacturers know you want products with minimal or recyclable packaging.

Choose renewable power – this is one of the most important solutions to the global warming crisis.

Benefits of going solar to combat climate change:

Solar energy can be easily utilised by both home and business and requires lower setup costs as compared to other renewable solutions.

Non-polluting: Solar energy is an alternative for fossil fuels as it is non-polluting, clean, reliable and renewable source of energy. It does not pollute the air by releasing harmful gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide or sulphur oxide. So damage to the environment is reduced.

Renewable Source: Solar energy is a renewable source of energy as it can be used to produce electricity as long as the sun exists. Solar energy reduces our dependence on the grid, lowers monthly bills, and can be used to harness power in the most remote locations.

Low maintenance: Solar systems generally don’t require much maintenance and run for a long time, they create no noise and have no moving parts. More solar panels can be added from time to time when needed. Initial cost tends to be recovered within 4-6 years.

Going solar can truly lower your carbon footprint while funnelling clean energy into the grid and into our homes and businesses. Green financing is becoming more readily available as climate awareness grows.

Be apart of something great, help combat climate change in your home and business.

Climate awareness + renewable sustainability = save the earth.

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Solar Tips for Battery Based Hybrid System: JPS is your backup power

November 26, 2015 Webmaster

As we approach the fall and winter seasons it is important for solar clients to be aware that they will experience shorter days which means less sunlight. Less sunlight means less solar production for solar systems. So in order to avoid using too much back‐up power which is most likely JPS, it is very important to be conscious of your energy usage during these next few months, even more so with our delayed rainy season upon on us adding cloudiness to limited sun hours.

A solar system produces more energy in the summer months due to the sun being higher in the sky. In these winter months clients need to focus on demand shaping which means to use heavy energy appliances more in the day than night. Using these appliances while the sun is out allows the batteries to be recharged while providing power for equipment. Therefore scheduling activities such as washing, ironing, fridge cooling and electric oven usage during the peak sun period of 10a‐2p is crucial for allowing batteries to receive enough charge for night usage.

Solar owners need to be mindful of ways to maximize the limited electricity generation that comes during this time of year. Clients need to be stingy with consumption. The nights are cooler so a fan might be sufficient instead of the AC or turn the temperature up a couple degrees on the AC unit. Change the most used outside/inside lights to LEDs where possible especially the ones left on for over four hours at a time. Owning a solar system makes you your own power company so it is crucial to plan out energy usage for the family, otherwise as consumption goes up so will the JPS bill. A solar system can only offset what it was designed to offset so if your night time consumption increases then the system will switch to JPS earlier than predicted.

Solar Tips for the shorter sunlight time of year:

During the day use heavy energy consuming appliances in the course of peak sun hours of 10a‐2p.

During the night make sure you only use the necessary loads that are required. Turn off excessive lighting when not needed.

Adjust temperature on air conditions higher a couple degrees.

Disconnect ghost loads that consume power even when off as long as they are plugged in. A perfect example is that of a Television. Over a period of 24 hours, a plugged in TV consumes the same power as when it is ON for thirty minutes.

Replace all the high wattage bulbs with energy efficient ones such as LED in areas where these lights are used daily and/or nightly.

Jason Robinson
Chief Executive Officer
Solar Buzz Jamaica

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Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Budget Presentation 2013-2014: “Fuelling Our Own Growth”

April 25, 2013 Webmaster

Minister of Science, Technology Energy and Minining, the Hon. Phillip Paulwell.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the motion in this 2013/2014 Budget Debate, truly a critical point for our country, our economy and the well being of our people.

Over the past 15 months, as we negotiated this new crucial IMF Extended Fund Agreement from the ru

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Pool Pump Initial Cost & Electrical Cost 5 yr. Analysis

September 17, 2012 Webmaster

Cost Analysis of the 4 most popular pool pumps in the Jamaican market.

This analysis hopes to provide the readers with a better understanding of the costs associated with the purchase of varying pool pumps. This study takes into account the approximate initial cost of each pump along with the installation expenses and electrical costs associated with the operation of the pump over a five (5) year period.

Why choose an Inverter Pool Pump?

Solar Buzz Variable Speed Inverter pool pumps are enjoying rapidly increasing popularity in the swimming pool industry in Jamaica. These pumps offer many benefits over traditional pool pumps since they regulate the speed of the electric motor. This is done by the pump controlling the amount of power delivered to the motor

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Install Owl Electricity Monitors For Efficient Energy Consumption

May 24, 2012 jrobinson

Brandon Virgo, energy audit manager, Solarbuzz Jamaica, shows us the statistics capabilities of the software that accompanies the Owl Electricity Monitor. - Photos by Gladstone Taylor/Photographer

You monitor your electricity consumption daily, yet your electricity bill continues to climb unabated. Perhaps you have tried extreme cost-cutting measures, but the frustration continues to mount. Your electricity bill is just too high!

Solarbuzz Jamaica can help you achieve a desired level of energy efficiency. They recommend installing an Owl Electricity Monitor in your home or business which allows you to see and monitor your energy consumption. The monitor is plugged into your breaker panel and shows you how much energy each appliance in your home or business is using.

For a one-time charge of $24,000 (including installation and GCT), within the first month, you are able to see at least a 20-30 per cent decrease in your electricity consumption. According to Jason Robinson, chief executive officer of Solarbuzz Jamaica, people who have installed the product become more conscious of the energy usage of each appliance and begin to cut back on their energy cost.

Monitor usage

“For each day of the week, you can monitor how the energy is used. The monitor can be connected to a computer, which can help you to analyse the data. By analysing the data, persons can see what is costing them the most and make changes,” Robinson said.

Jason Robinson, CEO of Solarbuzz Jamaica, explains how the OWL Electricity Monitor works. - Gladstone Taylor/Photographer

The company, which is focused primarily on providing solar energy, recommends that people try to cut back on energy consumption before making the bold step to install solar-energy panels. Robinson said, initially, energy usage in the home or business must be determined, and whether a solar panel can be installed at the facility.

“Depending on how much usage is accumulated per day, we can determine the size of the system. Once we know the energy usage, we can start putting together the equipment – including the panels, inverters, electrical – and the labour cost,” Robinson said.

Solar systems can range from $800,000 to $1.5 million for a small house, and depending on the energy usage, can also range from $4 million to $5 million. There is a 25-year warranty on the panels, and the other components can last up to 12 years. A minimum maintenance fee is charged each year.

Robinson also recommends that people have their electrical breakers analysed and cleaned regularly – at least once per year. He said energy can be lost when the breaker panel is not efficient.

“The breaker panel is like the engine of the home or business. It needs to be maintained. We label each panel for persons to know where each breaker is connected, so in case of an emergency, they will know which area in the house they are turning off,” Robinson said.

He said to add a solar system or even the Owl Energy Monitor, the breaker panel must be cleaned. Some, he said, were not installed properly, while others are crammed and become hard to service or clear. He added that many breaker panels are overloaded and that causes it to ‘trip’ out all the time.

Solarbuzz Jamaica also provides wind power solutions. They also install anemometers and let their clients know if the wind speed is sufficient for a wind turbine to be installed.

The company also installs pool and pond energy solutions that use up to 80 or 90 per cent less energy. The costs vary, but can go up to US$2,000 (J$174,000).

Contact Solarbuzz at

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