Energy saver

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: Energy saver
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Energy saver on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 06:29 pm: Edit Post

I am still interested if any one has any info.for me on how to purchase and have solar power installed for my home in treasure beach.
Thanks


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Zed on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 11:33 pm: Edit Post

One place to start might be going with a referral from reliable neighbours, Giuliano Pignataro & Liz Solms, whose Yellow Plum homestead at Round Hill was discussed in a February 12th posting in this forum (TREADING LIGHTLY DEVELOPMENTS...).

They used Ryan Ebanks of Tropical Renewable Energy for their Energy Consumption Calculations and installation of their Solar PV system. Liz & Giuliano are well known in this community, and since they have openly discussed their sustainability efforts for the media, it is likely that they would discuss their experience with this particular designer/installer, and perhaps others whom they interviewed.

Good Luck...why don't you let this forum hear how your solar design is faring from time to time.

Tropical Renewable Energy: (At TRE we try to ‘Green Your Routine’)
LINK:
www.trenewable.com/index.php


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Z on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 12:16 am: Edit Post

Energy saver...if you have been following prices of solar pv panels, in Jamaica, for a while, you'll find that that the wattage per panels are increasing as their price are reducing quite substantially.
One of the major installers on the Island are listing their recommended 250W panel @$35,000J or (US$410...). Higher wattage panels obviously mean the need for fewer panels to do the job. Be guided by that price range when shopping around.
Other components of the system (inverters, chargers etc) are also becoming more reasonable.

FYI... look what's over the horizon to tease your Roof Design imagination:

Flexible Photovoltaics...Perhaps not your best high-winds solution
www.earthtechling.com/2012/02/solar-panel-design-tries-to-not-be-ordinary


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By paul henningham on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 08:56 am: Edit Post

I would like to buy 250w solar pannels for $35 000
please leave a number or address


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By axel on Saturday, February 25, 2012 - 06:22 am: Edit Post

if you buy,watch the warranty,somebody offered us a "wind"mill ,the warranty offered was only for 3 month,and no chance to expand it(rip off ?)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Zed on Saturday, February 25, 2012 - 08:40 am: Edit Post

Solar Photovoltaic Panel WARRANTIES:

I've heard that solar-electric modules carry 25-year warranties.
But what exactly does that mean? Is that for any mechanical or electrical failure, off-spec production, or what? How are owners compensated under these warranties?


NOTE:
Warranties do not cover damage from shipment or improper installation. They do not cover failures caused by owners, installers, natural forces, or other unforeseen circumstances beyond the manufacturers' control. Warranty language can be difficult to understand — it is written by attorneys, after all.

In the end, it pays to follow old rules. Work with companies that are well known and reputable. Warranties are only good if the companies survive the term of the warranty in question. Keep installation details, especially equipment serial numbers, at hand — with the equipment manuals, perhaps.

PV failures are few and far between with modules purchased from major manufacturers. This is more than a matter of luck. PVs are well-made, long-term investments.
I once asked an engineer at a PV manufacturer why they were willing to put 25-year warranties on their modules. His reply was that the same formula is used to determine the warranty for any other consumer electronic equipment:
Estimate the life of the product, divide that number by two, and make that number the warranty term.


...Watch out for the fly-by-nighter, start up bandalus, who might not be around to to service problems or faulty installations. There are tales being told, right here, in our midst...

http://homepower.com/article/?file=HP126_pg12_ATE_1


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Zed on Sunday, February 26, 2012 - 08:46 am: Edit Post

Grüße dich, Axel... Germany: Churches at the Forefront of the New Solar Revolution

Imagine a church that not only views taking care of the earth as a fundamental Christian value, but whose green consciousness is at the heart of its gospel; a church that not only talks about responsible stewardship, but has photovoltaic systems mounted on its rooftops; a church that not only feeds solar power into the local grid, but inspires and supports other congregations to follow suit.

The churches rooftop solar panels are "dubbed 'Creation Windows,' the installation feeds what the pastor ...calls “heavenly energy” into the local grid that’s run by one of Germany’s largest cooperative clean energy companies.

The pastor reflects: “God has put a lot of love into this creation,”... explaining what he considers the natural affinity between faith and environmental stewardship.
“When you look around, you can only be in awe of how well-conceived everything is, and we humans are called upon to not only be beneficiaries but to intelligently and responsibly sustain this creation.”


...In his sermons (the pastor) would point to the importance of combining inner and outer work, citing St. Paul’s letters in Romans 8—“For the creation is eagerly awaiting the revelation of God’s children”—as a call to action for us caretakers to relieve the strain on the earth, to signal our participation, and to move toward salvation.

How the name 'Creation Windows' came about: “We thought, wouldn’t it be a great metaphor of what a church should be doing anyway, transforming the power of God into energy for our daily life? Just as electricity is a symbol of light and power, faith is a symbol of the power that God gives us to have hope and trust in humanity, to help each other and to co-create.”

...The 'Creation Windows' started to pay dividends right away, thanks to new German laws subsidizing solar energy. “All of a sudden we started to make really good money....so we said, let’s invest the money not only in upgrades like a new organ or energy-saving light fixtures, but in good causes aligned with the purpose of the church.” One of the biggest successes of this
creative communal brainstorming is “Sunny Youth,” a program that installs solar panels on school roofs, with profits from the surplus energy going to at-risk youth.


...With Germany’s recent decision to phase out nuclear energy by 2022 and switch to 100 percent renewables by 2050, the small church community suddenly finds itself at the cutting edge of a new energy age.
Together with EWS, the Schönau energy rebels’ cooperative, which today employs more than 50 people, provides renewable power to 115,000 homes and businesses throughout Germany...
They are leading the way in a shift of both policy and consciousness that few could have imagined just a decade ago.


According to the pastor, “If we wait until powerful leaders start to do good, the train will long have left the station...You have to start wherever you’re at, but if it’s many of us, then one drop will turn into a big lake. And that’s what happened here.”

Heavenly Energy:
http://sveneberlein.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/2012_03_heavenly-energy_sojourne rs_sven-eberlein.pdf




Gleaner Editorial: Intensify Search for Low-cost Energy Solutions:
Nine consecutive weeks of increases at the gas pump is creating much pain for motorists and business operators. Not unexpectedly, the struggle with gas prices is compounded by the hike in electricity bills, which many consumers have begun to complain about...

Examples from the past teach us how high energy costs can hurt an economy. With the news that Jamaica experienced a little growth last year, it would be very disappointing if there were a reversal in fortunes because of soaring oil prices.

Bottom line: Government policy has a great deal to do with the pricing of gas, which explains the persistent grumblings about Petrojam's pricing formula, which has never been properly explained to the consuming public.

To their credit, our political leaders have long recognised that even with assistance from Venezuela, the days of cheap, reliable energy are basically over.
And for decades we have had conversations about how we can become less reliant on oil imports by developing renewable-energy sources.
Take wind energy, where the technology has made rapid progress over time. However, we have failed to exploit this resource fully.

Jamaica may not have oil deposits in any appreciable amount, but the country is rich in solar and wind energy.
It is puzzling that we have taken so very long to establish national goals to encourage businesses and householders, who can afford the start-up costs, to invest in wind and solar energy as strong alternative solutions to complement the dominant fossil fuel options.


LINK:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120225/cleisure/cleisure1.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Zed on Monday, February 27, 2012 - 10:44 am: Edit Post

A WOW(!) Story on Behalf of Solar Energy: PNP Energy Minister Installs Solar PV Panels at his HOME

STATING THAT he could no longer afford the high cost of electricity provided by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), Minister of Mining and Energy Phillip Paulwell said he was now installing a solar-energy system at his home and he urged Jamaicans to do the same.

"As the minister of energy, I am going to incorporate renewable energy at my home. And if every single person look at how much you spend, and put aside that money to pay for a solar system, in seven to 10 years, you would have paid for it, and then, thereafter, the cost you derive from that is zero...Paulwell said it was an essential investment and urged Jamaicans to take up the solar-energy system loan being offered by the National Housing Trust (NHT)

"This is where people power can be most effective to transform the landscape of our energy situation ... . The Government ought not to be involved anymore in determining what is best, that power should be in the hands of the consumer," said the minister.

He said it was time to open JPS to competition, as it was only through competition that companies of that nature would pay more attention to consumers and stop taking them for granted.


Competition, he said, would also drive companies to seek better and cheaper fuel sources.

The energy minister told The Gleaner that he has been using a solar water heater for the past eight years and that lights outside his house are solar powered.

The loan for the solar-electricity panels, which can be used to generate electricity, is being offered at the current interest rate for a maximum of 15 years, while the loan for the solar water heater is for a maximum period of five years.


LINK:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120227/lead/lead1.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Z on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 10:34 am: Edit Post

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell said he is determined to ensure the full liberalisation of the energy sector to help drive down the electricity costs....distressed at the price of electricity at US 40 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Paulwell said that he was not prepared to wait on the Jamaica Public Service Company's (JPS) Three-Year Plan to bring down the cost of electricity to the consumer.

"I believe we have to free up the system. We have to liberalise. We have to enable the private sector with their R&D (research and development) to decide on the best technology for Jamaica at this time."

LINK:
www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/We-cannot-wait-three-years-for-JPS--says-Paulwell_1 0923125


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Zed on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 11:13 am: Edit Post

ENERGY CONSERVATION through Technology Which 'Enables' 'Green' Appliances:

Panasonic's Econavi (eco-navigation) is a combination of precision sensor technology and program control software that help conserve energy by adjusting and optimising appliance operations according to individual usage and environmental conditions.

• The Econavi line functions across a range of home appliances, including refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines as well as air-conditioning units.

"The Panasonic Econavi air-conditioner line boasts one of the largest energy savings in its class in the world today, up to 30 per cent...Its powerful sensor can detect and self-adjust the airflow accordingly to suit to the level of movement and activity in the room... "This technology, undoubtedly, is a stellar plus for our local market where energy bills are considerably exorbitant and fickle."

LINK:
www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Panasonic-introduces-new-energy-saving-technology_1 0922857

Panasonic Eco-Village at Sandals Montego Bay:
Jamaica's first eco-village resort, the revolutionary accommodation offers two fully solar-powered, luxurious Presidential Suites designed to provide guests with a relaxing and comfortable space while reducing their carbon footprint.

The new “eco-village” will generate solar-energy through the use of state-of-the-art Sanyo HIT solar panels that enable the room to be fully powered by solar energy.
The panels not only provide enough solar power to operate all electronic components inside the suites, but are also connected to the resort’s electrical grid, allowing any extra energy produced to be utilized towards the resort’s other facilities.

The eco-village also features Panasonic’s latest technology such as inverter air conditioners that use up to 60% less energy, LED lights, automatic system control and more.

The revolutionary project is being introduced at a time when many island resorts are facing an energy crisis.
Systems powered by solar energy incur minimal mechanical wear and tear, will last for many years and are ideal for the hotel industry.

(from News Release)

LINK:
Gleaner-Sandals Becomes Eco-Friendly
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20111120/lead/lead91.html

VISUALS:}
Sandals Eco-Village
http://news.panasonic.net/archives/2011/1220_8168.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Z on Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 01:04 pm: Edit Post

JPS Moves Closer To Renewables

The Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPS) has announced the formation of a Renewable Energy Integration Group (REIG) within the company to help fast-track the addition of more renewable energy to the electricity grid.

The formation of the internal team to assist the Government of Jamaica to achieve the national energy policy goal of 20 per cent renewable energy by 2030 was one of the commitments made by JPS shareholders ...
The commitment was made as Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Phillip Paulwell, indicated a need for the country to accelerate the pace in adding more renewable energy.

The newly formed REIG will assist investors with technical data and other information to assist them in their decision-making, and will also assist in the process of getting approvals from the OUR for connection to the grid as quickly as possible.
The group will also be working closely with the OUR to finalise a few outstanding issues in order to allow customers with small renewable facilities of up to 100kW to sell their excess energy to the grid under a standard offer contract.


Gleaner LINK:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120311/news/news5.html