Jamaica’s Solar Industry To Receive A Major Boost From USSolar
February 20th, 2013 by Nicholas Brown
Jamaica is an island in which the solar panel industry is small, but the Jamaican government’s Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) have implemented some policies that would provide solar panel owners and prospective buyers with more options to lower their electricity bills.
Solar panels under a gorgeous blue sky. Image obtained from Shutterstock.
One of the key policies is net metering. Residents are now able to connect their own solar panels to Jamaica’s electricity grid so that the panels supply electricity to the grid, helping to supply the nation with electricity.
One benefit of solar is that solar panels generate the most electricity when it is needed most, and that is during the afternoon, and Jamaica is particularly sunny. It enjoys 4,443 hours of sunshine annually.
Electricity demand is particularly high during the afternoon, and that can be partially attributed to hot weather. Air conditioners have a very high power consumption, and they consume the most power during hot weather as their users turn them up to stay cool.
Where USSolar Comes In
- Jamaica needs solar inverters suitable for its unique electricity grid, and USSolar is working on that
- USSolar offers specialized training to help develop a local solar workforce which carries out the installation of solar systems
- Jamaica needs solar panels that can operate efficiently and tolerate the humid climate, so USSolar found the right panels for it
Why Jamaica Needs This
Residential solar electricity costs about $0.10 per kWh, assuming a capacity factor of 25%, while Jamaicans pay the US equivalent of about $0.40 per kWh, and Jamaica’s climate happens to be sunny, which means that capacity factors can be much higher here.
Source: RenewableEnergyWorld.com
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About the Author
Nicholas Brown writes on CleanTechnica, Gas2, Kleef&Co, and Green Building Elements. He has a keen interest in physics-intensive topics such as electricity generation, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, energy storage, and geography. His website is: Kompulsa.com.
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