THE EDITOR, Sir:
HAVING READ Mr. Al Haye's contribution, I would like to submit the following article as another opinion.
Solar energy is widely used in Jamaica for the country's number one industry tourism.
We lure thousands to our shores inviting them to enjoy the sea, the waves the sun - all the components of the solar energy mix. We feed them ackee and other local foods grown by solar energy. When it comes to their shower and bath, we provide hot water by electricity using fossil fuels that have taken thousands of years to develop.
Solar energy, which comes out every day, can and does satisfy our hot water requirements and at a level of conversion efficiency that is higher than gas or electricity. Every day each square meter of earth receives 5 to 7 Kwh per hour per square metre. A square metre of solar flat plate collector can collect 40,032 Btu's or 11.7 kwh of solar energy over a seven-hour solar day. The energy would cost $84.24 to produce and transmit by electricity.
Over a reasonable lifespan of a good solar hot water system of 10 to 15 years, it would cost a four-member family $30,747 by electricity per year. This equates to $307,470 for 10 years and up to $461,214 for 15 years at today's cost. This is money that the family can save and put to better use. The same 80 gallons of hot water which serves a middle income family of four or a moderate-income family of five to six persons is required for every two hospitality rooms at Doctor's Cave Hotel, Brandon Hill Guest House or to shower every five students at Taylor Hall and Chancellor Hall at the Mona Campus of the UWI. These applications funded by the World Bank through the Jamaica Public Service Company are not unique. Over 1,500 families in Jamaica and 30,000 families across the Caribbean are using solar energy to heat their water and are saving money.
Mr. Aubrey Yee Sang of Jamaica reports that his Kwh reduction when he installed Solar Dynamics reduced by 25 per cent - 30 per cent. He has not had to use his back-up electrical element provided for inclement weather conditions. Mrs. Alma Dyer rates the system as her third best investment trailing her home and her car. Mrs. Dalton Murray reported that over two weeks of rain and inclement weather, the family's hot water was still served by the solar water heater. Mr. L.A. Meeks also reported this good experience during Green Expo 2002. Having a similar experience is Mrs. Carmen Chandia who said, "I'm sorry I did not get the system all along. During the heavy rains of 2002, the system proved its worth. Without using the booster, we still had hot water."
The value which the solar water heater brings to a home in terms of comfort, convenience, safety and savings, is immense. Jamaica has no petroleum resources of its own. It imports all.
In Barbados, US$4.3 million is the estimated value of imported fuel saved by using solar hot water systems. Consumers save US$13 million per year. Jamaica with a population of 10 times the size of Barbados has the potential to save US$130 million with an installed density of 37 per cent of homes, institutions and hotels.
In 1977 Jamaica spent 33 per cent of its export earnings to import oil and in 1980 it rose to 38.1 per cent. All efforts to stabilise an economy can be wrecked by oil price fluctuations.
Environmental concerns are no less important for Jamaica. Climate change caused or assisted by the emission of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels threaten to devastate large areas of low-lying land mass and to decimate ocean front tourism properties. Hidden environmental costs such as climate changes, emissions and health care costs need to be taken into account when we look at conventional energy. The option is not renewable energy or fossil fuel energy but rather a judicious mix of energies that are relevant and reliable to meet our needs.
Our viewpoint is that we should move with alacrity to harvest the sun and other renewable energy forms. In so doing we will save money for the people of Jamaica while we save energy and enhance our environment.
Solar hot water systems are reliable and efficient when the right size and the right temperature is applied. Selecting small-sized, lower-cost solar units are giving the industry a bad name. These 30 to 40-gallon units have enough hot water for the evening but are inadequate for the following morning's needs. The future of the industry is a bright one with the anticipated production facility due to come on stream early in 2003. With a production plant, the skills of the resource persons will be enhanced through training and retraining. The new facility will offer products with longer warranties and guarantees of performance and maintenance contracts.
The new Solar Dynamics Jamaica Ltd., would be the third plant for Solar Dynamics. The Barbados plant was first opened in 1974 followed by the St. Lucia plant in 1993. Solar Dynamics Jamaica will serve the Northern Caribbean region. The company is expected to employ up to 50 persons in the production, administration, sales, installation, servicing and maintenance. It will use well the natural energy of the sun to Jamaica's best advantage.
I am etc.,
JAMES HUSBANDS
Solar Dynamics Ltd.
