BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FREEPORT – A retired former executive of the GB Power Company said the installation of a 10 megawatt solar generation unit would considerably reduce the cost of energy for consumers in Grand Bahama.
Engineer Roger Johnson, former director of transmission and distribution for the company, believes that the cost of electricity would decrease within a year to 15 months were such a unit to be installed by the Power Company.
Pastor Eddie Victor and Mr Johnson, both members of the Coalition for Concerned Citizens, have been agitating for lower electricity rates, and have launched a petition drive on Grand Bahama.
They are seeking to surpass 1,000 signatures.
The organisation is now endorsing the use of solar panel systems.
Mr Victor said that a small photo-voltaic system is capable of generating sufficient AC electricity to power a home.
“Solar energy comes from the sun’s rays which is available to anyone,” he said.
He noted that financial institutions are willing to provide financing to qualified persons in an effort to support the creation of solar power systems.
“Grand Bahama needs an immediate relief on their power cost now because citizens are hurting as a result of the high power cost,” he said.
Mr Johnson said solar panel systems would benefit consumers and the Power Company would no longer need to build a new power plant every five years.
He said installing such a photo-voltaic system is now cheaper than buying a new diesel generator.
Comments
The_Oracle 10 years, 4 months ago
Banks will not finance until a legal framework for Grid tied Solar or off grid self generation is created and accepted by G.B. Power, and BEC for that matter. While that should happen, be careful touting Alternate Energy as the "total cure" Every situation is different, and user operation/monitoring/awareness is required of most systems. Large Utility scale has potential, but the power company must install it themselves, or their monopoly must be broken. (BEC and GB Power co.) for the home user, It can be as steep a learning curve as VAT implementation, or it can also be very simple. Caveat emptor.
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