Editorial | Solar future?

A project to install solar lights in some 30 rural St Andrew communities sounds like a common-sense plan which could put Jamaica along the path to achieving a more sustainable energy future. Admittedly, these may be mere baby steps in the scheme of things, but headed in the right direction.

The announcement by Member of Parliament (MP) for West Rural St Andrew, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, could easily form the basis of a comprehensive community initiative to harvest the sun’s energy for the benefit of as many people as possible.

The MP disclosed in Parliament that the J$4-million project is being funded by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), as part of the “light-up community project”, as she stressed the challenges faced by residents as they try to navigate some unlit communities at nights. Safety was among her main concern.

Some of the world’s eminent scientists have concluded that solar energy has reached an irreversible tipping point that will see it become the world’s main source of energy by 2050. Against that background, they are predicting that the Fourth Industrial Revolution will be based on solar power. This involves harnessing the energy emitted by the sun and putting it to use, such as in generating electricity, heat and initiating chemical reaction.

This means that the global call to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy is being answered as more countries explore the use of geothermal, hydro, wind and solar energy.

Jamaica is blessed with an abundance of sunlight for most of the year. The government has set a target to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels by achieving 50 per cent of renewable energy in electricity generation by 2030.

INCOME TAX CREDIT

And, in July this year, the government announced an income tax credit for persons who install solar systems at their primary residence. The credit is 30 per cent of the acquisition and installation cost of a solar photovoltaic system.

Disappointingly, Jamaica, like most countries in the region, stands as a mere spectator in this solar revolution that is taking place globally. Our higher institutions of learning have not provided the kinds of innovative breakthroughs we yearn to see and applaud and apply in our daily lives. For example, solar farms on water, solar paint, and windows that transform light into electricity, are promising inventions described in the available literature.

Additionally, there are solar hubs being constructed to facilitate those who cannot afford panels, and, in other instances, the agricultural sector is replacing diesel pumps with solar. These all represent strategic investments in what seems like a solar-powered future.

The prospects do not look good either, for, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), few developing countries have the capacity in skills, research and development or the industrial capacity or finance required to take advantage of solar power. What, then, is the answer? We believe it is imperative that there be focus on research and innovation and the development of partnerships to bring new ideas to fruition.

Realistically, we must see the project for West Rural St Andrew as an incremental improvement which will hopefully be replicated across the island. After the panels have been erected, they need to be maintained. We have seen too many examples of good ideas crippled by negligence. We expect, also, that the communities will protect these lights from vandals whose sole purpose is to loot and plunder.

If properly executed, this project represents a sunshine opportunity which will make solar energy more accessible for ordinary citizens in various communities.