The Tribune

By JOSHUA GREEN

We are so often faced with rising costs without any option other than to squeeze the budget tighter, or go without some of those nice things that make life bearable. Earlier this year, we enjoyed a global low in oil prices. Combined with the reduced need for air conditioning in the winter, that meant lower electricity bills for most Bahamians. But ‘the times, they are a-changin’’, and summer is here. Our electricity bills will rise whether we like it or not. It is time to take our power back.

So how can people, who have an income of less than $100,000 per annum, take control of their power, besides turning lights and unused appliances off at the switch? Well, the short answer is: “Change to solar.” There has never been a better time in history to supplement or replace your power needs.

Many Bahamians recognise that by installing a PV solar power system, they can halt the impact of the price increases for years to come. With electricity so costly – even in the middle of a global low in oil prices - going solar is an investment that pays for itself many times over. The money it saves you jumps when you consider the inevitable increase in energy prices every year.

When working through the process of what system is right for your household, school or business, it is important to look at how much energy you are using. This lets you determine how much electricity you need to generate in order to offset your energy costs, and hopefully even create a surplus.

One way to take back control of your power is with ‘tried-and-true’ Hybrid solar systems. With Hybrid systems, you create power every day from your own solar system fitted to your roof, and then store some of that power to be used at night. In effect, this allows you to go off the grid when you need to.

There are several Hybrid solar power and energy storage systems on the market today. Some use Gel or AGM batteries, and some use lithium batteries, so you can use stored power later. Some units even enable you to use your stored power in a blackout or power outage.

As demand has grown and technology developed in the past few years, battery storage prices have reduced dramatically, making energy storage especially viable and affordable now. New lithium energy storage units and energy management kits can even be fitted to an existing solar system. Similarly, you can get expandable versions, allowing you to add on more panels and storage at a later date. This lets you be prepared for future electricity rate rises.

If you needed back surgery, would you prefer the best doctor or the cheapest? You would not pick the cheapest ‘doctor’ to operate on your body, and neither should you pick the cheapest brands for your solar system. Sadly, not all systems are created equal, so it is important to pick the brands that harvest the sun’s energy most efficiently. Solar power brands range in efficiency from 5 per cent to 18 per cent. Hence, buying a cheap, low-efficiency system may result in you struggling to pay back the investment, plus having the frustration of an inadequate solar system with an ever-increasing electricity bill. Who wants that? As the saying goes: “You get what you pay for.” To take your power back, you want well-known, proven brand names with a reputation of solid after-sales service and back-up.

For example, inverters are a key component in the system and should not be forgotten - they convert solar power into a usable form. The inverter is like the brain of the system, and it is not ‘Charmin’ ultra’; less is not more. Beware, ‘cheap’ tends to cost more in the long run, so ask for the best. Sunny boy, Enphase, Schneider and Outback inverters tend to rate the best in the long run.

Bear in mind, though, that buying a PV solar power system is not the only way to reduce your energy costs. Replacing old energy sapping items such as lights and electric hot water heaters can save a lot. For example, a 150 watt light bulb can be replaced with a 15 watt LED light. Also, electric water heaters can account for up to a third of a home’s power use. Thus changing to a hybrid or solar hot water unit not only saves hundreds of dollars a year on energy costs, but can increase the benefit of the solar power system two to three-fold. By combining one of these with a good solar power system, many households can negate power bills all together. That is how to take your power back.

For more information, stop by your local energy efficiency specialist’s showroom. Take an old power bill or two with you, to help better-size your system.

• NB: Joshua Key is General Manager for SuperGreen Solutions Bahamas, located on Wulf Road next to FYP. SuperGreen Solutions is one of the premier advisors, suppliers and installers of domestic and commercial energy efficient solutions.