"diversify the energy base and encourage
the development of indigenous energy resources where
economically viable and technically feasible: and to
ensue the security of energy supplies"
The policy will create
an enabling environment to:
"promote the
development of indigenous energy sources where
appropriate, technically and economically feasible"
Regarding the
development of indigenous energy supplies,
"the
Government will continue to foster, facilitate and
encourage the development of all new and renewable
energy sources where feasible, but especially in the
areas of:
- hydro power
- biomass
- solar
- wind"
The Petroleum
Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) an agency of the Ministry
of Mining and Energy is the executing agency for the
Jamaica Energy Sector Policy.
GOVERNMENT
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
The extent of the
Government's commitment to the increased use of solar
technology by way of incentives as expressed is stated
in the Jamaica Energy Sector Policy (Section 10).
"the use of
solar panels and tubes for water heating, and solar
cells designed to produce electricity will be
encouraged by maintaining a concessionary tax
structure on these items"
And
"currently
the electricity utility [JPSCo] allows up to 15 %
external benefit for the development of renewable
projects. That is, the utility is prepared to pay up
to 15 % more for electricity generated by renewable
sources compared to the average price paid for fossil
fuel generated electricity. This is to ensure that
renewable sources of energy become a part of the
electricity generation mix. In a privatized
environment, this policy will be encouraged."
This policy has to date
been expressed in the following actions:
- Equipment from
CARICOM countries are "zero" rated with
regards to the Common External Tariff (CET).
- Fully assembled
systems are "zero" rated with regards to
the 15% General Consumption Tax (GCT).
- For import and sale
of raw materials used in solar manufacture, it is
possible to have both GCT and CET waived (or
reimbursement) if the entity can prove to the
Ministry of Finance, that the materials are
specifically for solar equipment.
CURRENT
USAGE OF SOLAR IN JAMAICA
Though this unlimited
energy source (solar) is greatly under-utilised, the use
of solar technology in Jamaica has now moved beyond the
novelty and demonstrative stage. The main solar
technology applications at work are solar water heating
(SWH), photovoltaic (PV) applications and solar drying.
Solar Water Heaters
(SWH)
The current usage is primarily within the residential
and industrial sectors (the hotel industry in
particular) with a few in some health institutions. The
sizes and designs of individual units vary widely.
Residential
These SWH are thermosyphon systems, some having
electrical backups. The usage includes single family
homes, apartment complexes and residences of tertiary
institutions. Estimates of the numbers of SWH units
approach 4,500. Among these are the large-scale users
such as Strata Corporations (over 1,000 private units).
The total estimated hot
water storage capacity is above 1.0 million litres
Commercial
Approximately 20 resort hotels utilise pumped systems,
which are larger than the residential systems.
Hot water storage
capacity is estimated above 36,000 litres.
Institutional
Solar Water Heaters were installed in nine hospitals
since the 1980's. Most of these units are not
functional.
At the University of
Technology (UTECH), four residential dormitories have
been supplied with a storage capacity of 5,455 litres
(1,364 litres per dormitory) of hot water from SWH.
Additionally 255 litres of storage capacity is provided
for each of the following; the Science Block, the
Nursery and the School of Engineering. The total storage
capacity is 6,251 litres.
The University of the
West Indies (UWI) also utilises SWH in its residential
accommodations. Sixty-four systems (tank, panel and
plumbing) provide a storage capacity of 2,910 litres of
hot water for residential undergraduate students.
In the Post-Graduate
Apartments at UWI Mona, an estimated 75 % of
undergraduate storage capacity is installed i.e. 2,180
litres. In addition, an estimated 1,200 litres of
storage capacity was installed for flats associated with
the four halls of residence.
Industrial
Only one industrial entity (food [meat] processing) had
installed SWH for hot water. This is no longer
operational.
Photovoltaics (PV)
There are approximately 260 stand-alone PV systems
(defined as complete units of themselves, which are not
electrically connected to other units) in Jamaica. They
range from a 120 watt array of two panels supplying
direct power to an electric water pump, to large scale
systems (4.3 kW) for powering computer systems and
lighting at a major insurance institution
Residential
JPSCo installed 100watt units with panels, batteries and
inverters in 43 rural households in Middle Bonnett, St.
Catherine and Ballimony, St Andrew as a part of their
rural electrification programme. Residents use the
electricity for 2 -3 household appliances and lighting.
Outside of this
programme, two private residential dwellings have been
powered 100% and 60% by PV (18 X 60 watt arrays each) in
conjunction with the use of energy conservation
systems/devices. There are approximately another 20
private domestic units used for residential lighting and
power.
Approximately 15 PV
units (60-watt single panels) are installed as backup
and charging sources for private gate opening systems.
Commercial
PCJ has installed 77 street lamps in public spaces and
buildings in every parish. In addition a demonstration
720-watt PV system has been installed at the front of
the PCJ Resource Centre to provide walkway and parking
area security lighting.
On one of the
"twin towers" at the Guardian Life Insurance
Company (former Mutual Life) building, was installed a
4.32 kW PV system of 72 modules in the array with
batteries and inverters/switches. This powers their main
computer systems and selected lighting needs for the
building.
Water Pumping
There is a total of 4 -5 PV water pumping systems
ranging from irrigation systems to a domestic water
fountain. These systems typically use 2 X 60-watt panel
arrays.
Telecommunications
There are currently 3 PV powered telecommunications
relay systems being used by a radio station and Cable
and Wireless Jamaica Ltd.
Navigational
Instrumentation
The Port Authority of Jamaica utilises 100 stand-alone
PV lighting systems for their navigational activities.
Theses are used specifically for beacons and buoys (at
sea) for navigation in shipping channels, signalling and
stopping lights that are land based and to power lights
in 9 of the country's 10 light houses.
Refrigeration
There are five refrigeration units, which are powered by
PV systems. The power ratings are 6 X 60 watt (two
units) and 2 X 60 watts (three units).
Research
There is PV array with 720 watts of installed capacity
at UWI Mona campus, providing electrical power for
computers, the system of which is to be expanded. The PV
system is designed to test the reliability of the energy
source for the activities of the Electronic and
Chemistry Departments of UWI.
Other
Power from PV is being used for smaller applications
such as motion detectors, radios, car battery chargers,
and personal items such as calculators and watches. The
numbers are undetermined as they are often imported as
and along with personal items.
There is also an
undetermined sum of PV components and whole systems,
which are imported for personal use.
Overall there is
approximately 75 kW of installed power.
Solar Dryers and
Cookers
Solar dryers are used primarily in the agro-industry
sector for the drying of selected crops. Currently there
are 31 units in existence, however the number of
operational units is uncertain.
The number of solar
cookers available is undetermined, as the models have
not been advanced beyond being considered as prototypes.
Solar Stills
Fifty-seven solar stills used to purify/distil
water, were installed island-wide, however only six can
be confirmed as operational.
MANUFACTURERS/DISTRIBUTORS,
SERVICE AND INSTALLATION
The market currently
has 15 dealers/manufacturers. Of this number only four
manufacture SWH from raw materials. The majority of
these companies market solar products as an adjunct to
other business activities.
These companies in
conjunction with necessary technical persons (engineers,
plumbers, electricians etc), execute the installation
and maintenance of the system.
CONFERENCES/TRAINING
Opportunities for
training and exposure have been afforded through
seminars hosted by PCJ, JPSCo and the University of
Technology (UTECH). Solar and other renewable energy
technology is occasionally included in the curriculum of
engineering students as options or small projects.
In August 2001, the
Caribbean Solar Energy Society (CSES) sponsored by PCJ
and UWI will stage the Fourth Conference of the
Sustainable Applications for Tropical Island States (SATIS)
in Jamaica. This may be one of the major exposure
opportunities for 2001. The conference aims to include
issues on renewable energy sources (solar energy
included), policy and planning, energy efficiency and
architecture. There will also be a workshop in
photovoltaics.
RESEARCH
Generally research
tends to involve increasing efficiencies of locally
applied systems or exploring new designs.
Two of the nation's
universities UTECH and UWI Mona are continuously
involved in research in solar technology specifically,
solar drying, solar cooking, and photovoltaics.
With PV, a UWI
postgraduate student is assessing the performance of two
types of PV panels and assessing their suitability for
use in the Jamaican environment.
The Scientific Research
Council (SRC) is the focal point for the Caribbean
Energy Information System (CEIS) which networks the
information related to energy around the Caribbean.
Solar energy information is included in this
circulation.
The SRC is also
involved in research in solar technology, primarily
solar dryers, and solar cookers.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
The PCJ in its role as
implementer of the National Energy Sector Policy has
pioneered the first national solar association. On June
23, 1999 the Jamaica Solar Energy Association (JSEA) was
officially launched as a not for profit,
non-governmental organisation (NGO). The JSEA is
composed of an industry group of manufacturers,
retailers, marketers, installers and providers of solar
energy. Membership is also open to the public.
The JSEA aims to:
- Promote the use of
solar energy in Jamaica.
- Formulate suitable
industry standards.
- Establish a solar
energy information database that serves to document
its many uses.
- Act as a lobby group
with the Government and private sector, to aid in
the development of the solar energy industry.
- To facilitate
funding opportunities for the solar industry.
The association will
actively promote, contribute and collaborate in the
further advancement of education and scientific research
and documentation on solar energy
technology/applications. The association will also
encourage and participate in public education on the use
and benefits of solar energy applications.
The JSEA has been
supported through the commitment of PCJ as a convenor,
funding agency and administratively. The secretariat is
currently located at the PCJ Resource Centre.
This is the only
association dedicated to solar technology and
application. Efforts are being made to engender an
alliance of other associations (e.g. Master Builders
Association, engineers, plumbers etc) in a commitment to
encourage solar energy development.
INTERNATIONAL
AGENCY SUPPORT/LOCAL COMMITTMENTS
Financial assistance
has been received from the international community for
solar energy applications. There has also been limited
counterpart support from local sources.
From the international
community, approximately US$600,000 has been received by
JPSCo, through the Global Environment Trust Fund (GET),
International Development Bank (IDB) Rocky Fellow
Foundation and the Canadian Trust Fund specifically to
implement a solar programme involving 415 residential
and 11 commercial SWHs and 44 small PV installations.
Other funds were received for institutional
strengthening of the implementing organisation.
Counterpart funding of US$1.8 million (less than 20% of
the total funds received) was provided by JPSCo for
these programmes.
The Canada/Jamaica
Green Fund Project assisted the new JSEA with start-up
funds of Ja$ 69,000. Local counterpart funding estimated
at Ja$166,800 (cash and kind) was received from PCJ and
Ja$ 40,000 from JPSCo Demand Side Management Unit.
FUTURE
The expansion of the
use of solar energy applications in Jamaica will depend
on the following:
- Government
initiatives, which will facilitate access to
financial mechanisms for the industry, which in turn
can be passed to the consumer.
- Creation of
innovative means (especially financial mechanisms)
for the consumer to afford and give preference to
the use of solar over fossil fuels (where
applicable). The greatest challenge to the consumer
now is the comparatively higher price of solar
technologies to traditional ones (4 - 6 times
higher).
- Education and
encouragement of the various publics (especially
residential, commercial, industry, private and
public sector and tourism) in the use of solar
technology.
- Support and training
of the local associations aligned to solar
technology.
- The commitment of
the Government to increase the proportion of
renewable energy (particularly solar) in the
country's energy mix.
- The ability of local
manufacturers to compete on the global market
because of the difficulties to obtain performance
certification.
In the current
framework without intervention, the use of solar will
continue to expand but only at a slightly elevated rate,
possibly not enough to significantly impact the current
use of fossil fuels.
PETROLEUM CORPORATION OF JAMAICA
Energy Resources Division
September 1, 2000
Renewable Energy Incentives
for the Private Sector
- Change the existing
national energy mix by the mandatory inclusive of
renewable energy systems.
- Removal of all
duties and taxes on all energy saving devices.
- The availability and
ease of obtaining low interest environmental funds
for individuals or companies wishing to install
renewable energy systems.
- A monetary incentive
for:
- New subscribers
of energy saving devices and
- Subscribers who
replace existing energy systems with energy
saving devices.
- The introduction of
NET METERING. The ability of customers with
renewable energy systems to sell their production
directly to the national grid and to pay the net
difference used.
- Establish a National
Public Relations Education Programme to educate and
sensitise the nation, commencing in schools, of the
importance of energy conservation and the available
options of alternative energy. The significance of
lowering the oil import bill should be stressed as
the savings could be channelled into other areas
that need urgent attention such as schools, medical
centres and roads.
- Availability and
ease of access to long-term low interest
environmental funds for manufacturers and assemblers
of energy saving devices to be used in product
research and development, international product
accreditation, factory expansion and the financing
of major projects.
- Government must
ensure that the local solar industry manufacturers
and Providers be included in any future solar energy
projects.
- The provision of
factory space for the manufacture and assembly of
solar energy devices with a two-year lease
moratorium followed by a low cost lease arrangement.
- The inclusive of
technical training in the assembly, installation and
maintenance of energy saving devices in the
curriculum of training institutions (i.e. VTDI &
National Tool & Engineering Institution).
/lvh - Jamaica Solar
Energy Association - 25/8/2000
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