Understanding solar energy
ATIMELY reminder of how Jamaica ought to be using renewable energy to promote a more sustainable future comes from an unlikely place – the island’s monopoly power distributor, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS).
Our attention was drawn to a news report citing an official of the JPS engineering department essentially urging investors to gather all the necessary information about the use and capacity of batteries for solar technology, to ensure they get value for their investment.
Faced with enormous electricity bills, more householders and business operators are hopping off the JPS grid and installing solar panels. In their quest to cut cost and buy clean energy, these investors are encouraged by the fact that solar panels and wind turbines are exempt from certain taxes and enjoy duty concessions. Experts advise that the break-even point for solar technology to realise savings is within six to 10 years.
The JPS, which distributes electricity to some 600,000 customers, has itself reduced dependency on fossil fuels by converting both the Bogue and Old Harbour Power plants, replacing traditional heavy fuel oil with the more environmentally desired liquefied natural gas.
At least 89 per cent of Jamaica’s energy is currently derived from petroleum-based fuels. But the island has an abundance of renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass. Even with some notable investments in wind turbines and solar technology, these resources have barely been touched. Solar power, for example, is in its infancy, accounting for a mere one per cent of energy generated.
AMBITIOUS TARGET
It is predicted that, if Jamaica could attract the requisite investment in renewables, the country could generate about 40 per cent of its total energy demand. Jamaica has an ambitious target of 20 per cent renewable and 42 per cent natural gas by 2030. And the target continues to be revised upwards to 50 per cent renewables by 2037. For these objectives to be realised, Jamaica needs to see major investments from the renewable sector. Requests for proposals from the renewable sector were due to be reviewed in February.
There is some indication that the government has identified specific sectors for energy renewal projects. Among those targeted are public transportation. Then there is focus on schools, with more than 30 currently participating in a solar lighting pilot project, and 120 government facilities are being retrofitted with energyefficient lighting. There are private sector companies invested in the renewable sector who are encouraging energy resilience in areas such as manufacturing and tourism.
The demand for electricity is growing, with the ongoing boom in multiple family dwellings being witnessed across the Corporate Area and certain townships. Experts say that, if the households with the highest electricity usage were to install solar water heaters, the savings would be enormous. So many homeowners could benefit from on-site assessments and long-term measurements in their search for renewable alternatives.
Though it may seem odd that the JPS appears to be encouraging the use of alternate energy, in the end, a comprehensive long-term energy vision which aims to embrace clean technology will benefit the utilities as much as the consumer and, ultimately, the entire country. In a small open economy such as ours, how energy is produced and distributed affects household consumption and livelihoods. Education is key for people to understand their role in the scheme of things.