The Tribune

Tambearly School has become the first New Providence-based school to install “significant” solar power panels that provide a collective 39 kilowatt (Kw) output.

Jerome Fitzgerald, the minister of education, this week applauded the move at the Westridge-based school, adding: “Tambearly students should be extremely proud to be the first school in New Providence to install significant solar power.

“We are looking forward to the success of this project with a view to implementing it in other schools in New Providence.”.

The Minister added that the Ministry of Finance was encouraging ach Cabinet member to cut down on electricity costs, and that the Ministry of Education was already training students to install and repair solar panels.

Supplied and installed by Power Windsun Bahamas, the 160 bright aqua solar panels give the roof of Tambearly Auditorium the look of a gigantic swimming pool.

Richard L. Parker, president of Power Windsun Bahamas, said less than 20 of his company’s solar panels can replace save about $300 in monthly electrical costs.

He seest the “installation of renewable, non-polluting solar energy panels as a way to reduce costs for businesses... and for schools, a possible way to avoid some tuition increases, making quality education more affordable to a wider group”.

Alice Langford, founder and principal of Tambearly School, said: “Tambearly School has always been keenly aware of the environment. We write on every line of paper, use only one hand towel each, and wear our sun hats every time we are outside.

“These were our baby steps. This solar energy installation is a giant step to improve our environment by using renewable energy. I think every child in Tambearly knows the value of conserving energy, so this is a very special day.”

Mr Parker thanked the Bahamas Electricity Corporation’s (BEC) Board, adding “Everyone there is extremely concerned with, and doing everything in their power, to reduce the cost of electricity.

Describing how solar panels work, Mr Parker explained that when silicon crystals in the panels are struck by sunlight, electrons in the silicon crystals move about, creating an electrical current that can be harnessed to provide power.

Power Windsun Bahamas, Mr Parker said, had two divisions. The first division focuses on commercial installation applications, while the second provides certified training to independent installers and provides solar power kits starting at $3,990.

These kits include solar panels, mounting rails, an inverter and, most importantly, a power management system.

Mr Parker said the power management system is the key to the whole system. It monitors the user’s consumption needs and regulates the inverter output level to avoid random overproduction.

“The public should be wary of installing solar power systems that do not have an active ‘Power Management System’,” Mr Parker said.