The heat from the sun can be so unbearable at times that some of us will be driven to purchase an air conditioning unit even if it cost us an arm and a leg. Other body parts will come into question when one (more…)
Category: Solar Energy
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Jamaica’s Solar Potential for PV Application
The Worldwatch Institute in its recently published “Jamaica Sustainable Energy Roadmap – Pathways to an Affordable, Reliable, Low-Emission Electricity System” revealed that Jamaica has a tremendous solar potential with (more…)
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Adding Solar PV to your Home – grid-tied or stand-alone?
In a previous article titled “Make Electricity while the Sun Shines” I gave a some insight into current PV technologies. In this article, however, I would like to look at the addition of a PV system to your home and thus a more detailed look at a solar PV energy system in its entirety. A solar PV system consist of the PV array and what is called the balance of system – which is the remaining components necessary to condition the electricity from the PV array into a more usable form of electricity. The actual components that make up the balance of system is dependent on the choice of implementation, on which this article will also be focused.
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Solar PPA – the straw to break the supply monopoly
Over the past couple of years I have listened to cries emanating from all sectors of the society to break the monopoly held by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) on the nation’s electricity market. The Honorable Minister, (more…)
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Jamaica’s PV market – can it strive with limited incentives?
In one of my previous article – titled Solar Basics – I discussed briefly the enormity of the energy received from the sun globally. Jamaica receives approximately 5kWh/m2 of solar radiation per day or 1800 kWh/m2 annually (more…)
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Make ‘Electricity’ while the Sun Shines
In a recent post, titled solar basis, I gave a quick overview on solar energy and its conversion into other, more useful, forms of energy (e.g. electricity). In this article however, I will delve a little into solar electric systems. But before I jump into it, I will briefly recap from that article what I think might be relevant here for those of you who did not read it as yet.
Solar Thermal (left) and Solar Electric (right) (www.blog.thesietch.org) As outlined in the article, solar energy systems fall into two main categories: 1) solar thermal systems, which uses the thermal energy from the sun to heat a working fluid that in-turn can be used for heating and cooling in buildings (e.g. solar hot water heaters) or for electricity generation (e.g CSP’s) and 2) solar electric systems, which uses the concept of photoelectric to convert the light (irradiation) from the sun directly into electricity (e.g. photovoltaic cells). The later is of interest here and thus from here on out will be referred to as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
The main components of a solar PV system is the PV Cells, which are grouped together to form a single PV Module. In solar installations several of these PV modules are typically connected (in series) to form an Array, as show in the diagram that follows.
The PV cells themselves are semiconductor electronic devices that convert the sunlight directly into electricity and thus forms the heart of a solar PV power generation system. The modern form of the PV cell was invented in 1954 at Bell Telephone Laboratories.
Currently, solar PV systems are one of the most “democratic” renewable technologies available. This is as a result of their modular size, which puts them within the reach of individuals and small-businesses who want to access their own power generation and lock-in electricity prices.
Solar PV technology offers a number of significant benefits, including:
- Solar power is a renewable resource that is available everywhere in the world.
- Solar PV technologies are small and highly modular and can be used virtually anywhere, unlike many other electricity generation technologies.
- Unlike conventional power plants using coal, nuclear, oil and gas; solar PV has no fuel costs and relatively low operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. PV can therefore offer a price hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices.
- PV, although variable, has a high coincidence with peak electricity demand driven by cooling in summer and year round in hot countries.
A wide range of PV cell technology is now available on the market, using different types of materials. PV cell technologies are usually classified into three generations, depending on the basic material used and the level of commercial maturity:
- First-generation PV modules (fully commercial) uses a wafer-based crystalline silicon (c-Si) technology, either single crystalline (sc-Si) or multi-crystalline (mc-Si).
- Second-generation PV systems (early market deployment) are based on thin-film PV technologies and generally include three main families: 1) amorphous silicon (a-Si) and micromorph silicon (a-Si/μc-Si); 2) Cadmium-Telluride (CdTe); and 3) Copper-Indium-Selenide (CIS) and Copper-Indium-Gallium-Diselenide (CIGS).
- Third-generation PV systems include technologies, such as concentrating PV (CPV) and organic PV cells that are still under demonstration or have not yet been widely commercialised, as well as novel concepts under development.
On average a PV cells life expectancy is 25 years and the cells are able to harness both direct and diffuse radiation from the sun. The amount of energy harnessed depends on the type of semiconductor material used in the solar cells, ambient operating temperature, cloud cover, shading, tilt angle and the direction in which the PV modules are installed. As the earth rotates continuously, PV cells which have sun ‘tracking’ capability are able to harness more energy. Jamaica and Barbados is located 18 and 13 degrees north of the equator respectively, thus it is a recommended best practice to install PV modules facing south at an angle of 18 and 13 degrees respectively.
Some simple questions to ask yourself before investing in Solar Energy:
- How readily available is the natural resource – sunshine? How readily can you access it – shading etc?
- Why are you interested in implementing a solar PV system – high cost of electricity or you are environmentally conscious?
- What is the initial cost of implementing a solar PV system in your area – total cost and the cost of the individual components?
- What is the maintenance requirements of your system of choice and estimated cost to maintain it?
- Where can you install your PV system – on the roof or in your yard?
- What is the warranty periods offered on PV modules, and other components of the system?
- What are the impacts on the natural environment? Will it reduce your carbon footprint or contribute to other environmental issues?
The answers to most of the questions are pretty much straight forward. My final line to you is that solar PV is one of the fastest growing renewable energy technologies today and it is expected that it will play a major role in future global electricity generation mix. So embrace your future today, by making steps to start generating your own electricity as the sun shines!
feel free to register your comments below….
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Solar Water Heating
Solar energy technology continues to advance both in terms of efficiency and cost. The cost, however, is still outside the reach of the average hardworking middle class of our society. The need for alternative (more…)
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Solar Power Basics
The introduction of feeding in policies such as Net Metering/Billing into the Caribbean electricity markets is hoped to trigger a significant influx of grid connected solar systems, similar to the response observed in Germany (more…)
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Economics of a Small Solar Electric System
Small solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) systems are currently gaining popularity in the public domain in several Caribbean islands including Barbados and Jamaica, as a result of spiralling electricity cost in the region. The cost of these systems, however, presents a huge drawback to consumers, thus forcing them to think twice before investing.
When considering the economics of investing in small solar electric systems it is necessary to look at both the capital cost and the long-term operating cost. The capital cost, which includes the cost of designing and installing a PV system, can be very overwhelming for the average consumer that is already fed up with high electricity bills. The operating cost on the other hand, which includes the cost of maintaining the PV system over its useful life, is generally small when compared to the ever-spiralling monthly electricity bills.
Some factors that will affect both capital and operating costs of your PV system include:
- system components
- system size
- whether it is grid-connected or stand-alone
- available solar resource
Before selecting the PV system components and sizing a PV system for your home, you should evaluate your energy consumption patterns. Looking for possible means of reducing your electricity consumption at this point would also be in your best interest. You can start by performing a load analysis, which includes:
- looking at your utility bills over the past year
- calculating energy consumption
- recognizing consumption trends.
By understanding your “energy habits” and becoming more energy efficient, you can reduce the size of the PV system you’ll need, lowering both your capital and operating costs.
If you’re looking to build a new home, you should work with the builder and a solar professional to incorporate your PV system into your new home.
For PV cost considerations, ask your PV provider how much electricity your new PV system will produce per year (measured in kilowatt-hours) and compare that number to your annual electricity usage (as determined from looking over your energy consumption for the past year) to get an idea of how much you will save. As a rule, the cost per kilowatt-hour goes down as the size of the PV system increases.
Solar rebate programs, subsidies, and other incentives will help make PV more affordable. Check on your respective government ministry (website) to see what incentives are currently being offered in your country.
The Jamaican Government currently offers the following incentives:
- GCT and import duties exemption on Solar systems – including panels, batteries, and inverters.
- The National Housing Trust (NHT) offers a low-interest “solar panel loans” of up to J$1.5 million for individual applicants and J$3 million for co-applicants, with interest rate ranging from 1 per cent to 7 per cent, depending on your weekly income, with a repayment period of 15 years.
- The NHT also offers a solar water heater loan of up to J$250,000 at 3 per cent for 5 years.
- On the commercial side, the National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica has implemented a special credit line for manufacturers and agro-processors to establish alternative- energy systems at relatively low-interest rates.
Solar or PV system provides clean energy at a comparative cost, and considering recent changes in global climate and the current upward trend in oil prices consumer should now look to becoming more energy conscious, and in my personal opinion is a move in the right direction.
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