Looking back, Looking forward | Solar industry a roller coaster for 2018

This year has proven that there is no stopping renewable energy in Jamaica. We are now reaching the point where not only are most people familiar with solar, but they are turning to solar energy for their energy solutions. As CEO of Solar Buzz Jamaica, I am extremely proud to be part of the select group of local companies who are 100 per cent Jamaican-owned, doing some of the best quality installations on the island and pioneering the solar industry.

These companies understand how much of a roller-coaster ride this industry can truly be. The competition is fierce from foreign companies as well as the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), who has now 'seen the light' with solar and competes against us

in the market. Local solar companies should take this as a compliment since for many years, JPS was against the idea of people generating their own energy.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Which is why I wanted to take the time to write about some of the accomplishments that my Solar Buzz team has achieved in 2018. There are always articles showcasing the large-scale

solar farms that have been commissioned, but there are also some very important smaller projects and trends happening in Jamaica that we have been a part of in 2018, that prove the solar industry has no signs of slowing down.

The University of the West Indies (UWI) was awarded the EBSCO solar grant this yearfrom among some 100 universities globally that competed. The proposal for this grant was developed by UWI and the Solar Buzz team for a solar system that will offset energy at the science library. This 40kW system will be the first substantial solar system on the UWI campus, and will also be used as part of the UWI curriculum in order to teach students about solar with a more hands-on approach. The system will be designed and labelled specifically for student interaction, with the goal of having better qualified graduates for the renewable energy field. Solar Buzz is looking forward to being part of the UWI curriculum and contributing to the education of future generations.

RESILIENT POWER

The time for battery storage is now! You may have heard the term 'resilient power' being used in discussions about solar energy. Resilient power provides essential back-up power during blackouts, while also reducing electricity bills throughout the year. This is the ultimate benefit of battery storage, and Solar Buzz has been preaching this for years. The topic was brought home in 2017 when Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico (PR). Parts of PR were without power for over 12 months and during the rebuilding process, solar plus battery back-up has become a necessity for most homeowners. In 2018, Solar Buzz focused on teaching our customers the need to be able to generate your own power from solar should our grid lose power due to a natural disaster. This year, Solar Buzz installed more battery storage for homeowners than all our previous years combined due in large part, to lower system costs, and financing options we have been able to offer clients. Another key to this growth has been the ability to show clients how we install our systems to withstand Category 5 winds. The engineering documents we provide and UL-certified equipment we use allow our clients to add the solar system to their property insurance, giving them peace of mind should any damage occur.

CARIBBEAN ENERGY FORUM

This push for resilient power led to my nomination by the Jamaica Solar Energy Association to represent the organisation at this years' Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) in Miami a few weeks ago. CREF is the largest renewable energy conference in the region and is attended by all the major utility executives, as well government officials from every island and the United States. I was sent specifically to participate in the Island Resiliency Action Challenge, where 10 teams competed to deliver a 12-month action plan to help small island states like Jamaica become more resilient in the face of devastating hurricanes like Irma and Maria. I am happy to report that the team I was on developed the winning idea of delivering a critical infrastructure plan. Over the next 12 months, I will work with my team members to structure this plan, which will initially focus on Anguilla, but can then be replicated throughout the Caribbean. This will be an essential learning experience which I look forward to sharing with our Government in Jamaica, when completed.

Solar Buzz has some very interesting solar projects to start 2019, but one of our favourites will be the launch of our installation of twenty Source units from Zero Mass Water at the University Hospital Children's Ward. Source units are completely off grid and produce clean drinking water, from sunlight and air. These units will not only provide drinking water but will help to cut down on the use of plastic bottles at the hospital.

For Solar Buzz, it has always been about making energy freedom a reality for our customers, while saving the planet. Our top priority is installing high-quality systems that perform as predicted, while working on interesting projects that make a difference in the industry. Solar Buzz, above all, enjoys the journey of innovation and savings with our clients.

- Jason Robinson, is chief executive officer, of Solar Buzz Jamaica.

jason@solarbuzzjamaica.com