Winsome Callum | This is a good time to go solar

Now might be a good time to consider going solar. The price of energy is skyrocketing. It is happening all over the world – at petrol pumps and on electricity bills. The war in Ukraine has caused unprecedented hikes in the cost of oil and natural gas – critical inputs in the production of energy.

The steep global increases in the price of electricity have resulted in consumers around the world struggling to pay their bills. A recent Bloomberg article highlighted the fact that 20 million US homes are behind on energy bills as the country sees its worst-ever crisis in late utility payments.

Governments have stepped in to support consumers – from providing subsidies, to removing or reducing the tax on electricity, to placing a cap on the prices at the gas pumps. Here in Jamaica, our Government made a 20 per cent contribution towards the bill of each customer using less than 200 kWh – reflected on bills for the period May to August.

But as the situation in Ukraine persists, governments and individual consumers are considering more extreme measures to cope with the rising cost of energy. Countries like Germany are taking measures to reduce national demand for energy, including dimming streetlights and turning off the electricity at non-essential facilities. Other countries, like Switzerland, are contemplating scheduled rolling blackouts to reduce demand.

And, more and more, consumers are exploring ways to get off the grid and generate their own electricity from renewable sources.

IS SOLAR SOLUTION RIGHT FOR YOU?

Going solar is clearly an attractive option in a tropical country like ours. But many have made the investment and have been very disappointed. That is because they failed to do their due diligence and take the necessary steps to reap the benefits of their solar installations.

This might not be good news for many, but solar is not for everyone. Consumers who reap the greatest benefit from their investment in solar are those who fully utilise the power produced by the solar panels at the time this power is produced – during the day.

The peak period for production of electricity from solar panels is between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you run a business that operates mostly during regular work hours or you work from home, you can get the most from your solar investment. However, if you are a residential customer, and most of your electricity usage is in the evenings, then you may not get the full benefit of your investment.

What about batteries? Batteries store energy that you use when the sun goes down, but they can be expensive. On average, the cost of batteries is about 40 per cent more on your solar investment. And the energy stored by your batteries will not necessarily take you through the night. The average battery storage gives a typical home about two to three hours of electricity. For more storage, a bigger investment will be needed in batteries – sometimes the equivalent of the cost of the panels themselves. So if most of your activity is in the evening, then you may want to take another look at your plans to go solar.

THOROUGH ASSESSMENT

The experts recommend that you get a thorough assessment done by qualified persons before you make that big investment in solar. This assessment will help you determine exactly what you need, the size of the photovoltaic system and other components to be installed, where they will be located, etc.

Where you place your solar system can determine whether it is a good investment or not. A qualified consultant will likely use an instrument called a solar pathfinder, which tells you how many hours of the day and how many months of the year your roof is shaded. This will guide you in making the right decision about the placement of your panels.

Your assessment must take into consideration the size and condition of your roof as well as possible hazards and things that could prevent you from making the most of the sun. For example, solar panels are best placed on flat roofs, tilted about 18 inches facing the south, where you can get most sunlight. Does your roof qualify? Is it in good condition? Is the area shaded by trees or buildings? Is the roof very high? Does it slope dramatically, and is it close to power lines? Carefully consider these questions and take any remedial action necessary before you proceed.

An important part of the process is the load assessment. Your energy consultant will likely use a power data logger that tracks the energy usage in your household or business place. It tells you how and when equipment and appliances are being used. This information is a useful guide for how you can make the most of your solar installation during the peak production hours.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Energy efficiency and conservation are as important as ever when you decide to go solar. You still need to cut out energy waste, or you may lose the benefit of your investment.

As part of your preparation to invest in solar power, it is best to identify areas of inefficiency in your household or business. The experts advise that you should not try to match your investment in solar with your current usage. Start by reducing your energy demand. Then get a solar system that matches your reduced consumption. This way you save on your initial investment, and you can always add panels later if necessary.

For most people, our usual lifestyle does not always lend itself to daytime use of electricity. So some adjustment may be required for you to make the best of the daytime production of electricity once you become fully dependent on your solar installation. This will require discipline and consistency.

You may decide to have a grid-tied system that allows you to take power from the national grid when your system stops producing – like at nights, during the rainy season, or when there is cloud cover. In this case, it is important to pay close attention to when you are using your own power as against when you are using power from the grid. This way, there will be no surprises when you get your electricity bill.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SOLAR PARTNER

On a final note: do your due diligence before selecting a solar partner. Your solar dealer must be a reputable registered company. Assess the competence of the company before making a final decision. Check out their track record, and get feedback from their customers. Get details of what is expected from your new photovoltaic system. Ask questions about warranties, maintenance, and service contracts. Have them show you how to track your solar production. Be an informed and empowered consumer. Going solar is a big investment. Take care in deciding if it is the right option for you and if now is a good time to go solar.

Winsome Callum is director, corporate communications, at JPS. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.