SOLAR POWER IN JAMAICA

Jamaica along with many other Caribbean countries is known for its abundance in solar energy based on its latitudinal and longitudinal placement. In fact, past statistics have shown that Jamaica receives an estimated average of 177 MJ/ m² per year of direct solar radiation. That is enough to supply approximately 5   times our annual requirement. We’ve managed to tap into this tremendous energy resource through photovoltaic cells which are used to convert the sun's energy to electricity,  solar water heaters and crop dryers which utilizes the heat from the sun. Unfortunately we have only managed to convert  about 1% of the country’s annual energy demand.

Currently approximately 0.9% of households in Jamaica have Solar Water Heaters (SWH).   The true potential of solar crop drying is still yet to be fully realized and at present there are only 31 known units installed,  some of which are  non-operating. Quite a number of these units were home made units, custom built by the farmers themselves using simply off the shelf materials. A lack of interest from the majority of Jamaica’s society has proved to be a hindrance to the exploitations of solar energy. The associated high capital and long returns are also deterrants to potential investors. The accomplishments to date in addition to the information provided above, have been bulleted below for convenience.

Past Developments in Solar Energy

• Thirty one (31) known Solar Crop Dryer Units
• There are to date approximately eight Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system private contractors in the island.
• There are approximately nine solar water heating system private contractors in the island 
• There are over 183KW of residential solar PV installed in Jamaica.
• There are over 104KW of small commercial solar PV installed in Jamaica
• There are approximately 7800 residential Solar Water Heater installations in Jamaica
• A testing methodology for PV system performance has been developed by CERE at the PCJ building. The methodology is currently being refined. 

• A testing methodology for SWH performance is currently being developed by CERE.through experiments at Font Hill Guest House, St. Elizabeth. 
• PCJ’s Energy Efficiency Unit (EEU) has installed Solar PV systems at the following locations
  • Cornwall Regional Hospital (3.0KW) 
  • Princess Margaret Hospital (2.5KW) 
  • St. Anns Bay Hospital (2.7KW) 
  • Eden Gardens (1.3KW)
  • Several solar street lights were installed along the side of the entrance road leading up to the main gate of Font Hill Guest House
• PCJ’s EEU has also installed Solar Water Heater Systems at Bustamante Hospital for Children (4,500 liters), Princess Margaret Hospital (3,800 liters), Cornwall Regional Hospital (15,000 liters), Black River Hospital (5,700 liters), Percy Junior Hospital (5,700 liters), Lionel Town Hospital (5,700 liters) and most recently, Spanish Town Hospital (1,520 liters).
• The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica has collaborated with the University of Technology in the development of the island first solar golf cart.

Most Recent Developments in Solar Energy

• PCJ has secured preliminary approval for funding through the PETROCARIBE for the development of the following projects.
  • Grid-Tie PV systems for Portmore communities
  • Stand alone PV systems for rural communities that are off the electrical grid
  • A solar PV and solar water heater manufacturing facility
  • Solar design and technologies capacity training 
  • Solar PV systems for schools in Jamaica
• PCJ is looking to collaborate with UTECH to develop solar cooling methods for slab roof dwellings in Portmore.
• PCJ is seeking funding to conduct solar feasibility studies for the building of a solar farm facility.

• PCJ is actively working to facilitate the development and legislation of net metering
• PCJ continues to provide support to the Ministry of Energy in further developing the zero tax and duty on solar equipment policies
• PCJ continues to support the Ministry of Energy in constructing programmes for government grants and other forms of grants or loans

PCJ is looking to increase public interest in solar energy and solar technology through public promotions, seminars, displays, exhibitions and advertisements.

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