The Tribune

By JOSHUA KEY

How times have changed, There was a lot of angst when the Renewable Energy Self Generation (RESG) programme was stopped in its tracks in November 2015. “Customers that may have installed grid-tied systems are advised that they must disconnect same until the process restarts,” read the statement on BEC’s website just over a year ago. With no firm date for the ‘restart’, people who had invested tens of thousands of dollars in grid-tied solar systems were left wondering how long it would be before their investment started to pay off.

However, as we wrote in our last article, we are now closer than ever to getting credit on our power bills for renewable energy. The process has been restarting, and grid-tie is again on the way. How?

In 2016, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) began regulating the Bahamian electricity sector. In December, they released their proposed revisions to Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) small-scale renewable generation plan. URCA basically gave approval for BPL to proceed with Phase one for grid-tied systems. Consultation over this ends on March 31. And, at a recent meeting I attended at URCA’s headquarters, I was assured that renewable generation was a “first priority” for this year. We are almost there.

That said, even though we are closer than ever before, we are not there yet. As we wait for final specifics on the code and inspections, that does not mean we have to twiddle our thumbs. If you were thinking about installing a grid-tied solar system, and you do not want to wait for “proposed legislative and regulatory changes”, there are other ways to lower your light bill and go green. Here are a few powerful options:

• Install a battery back-up solar system with the potential to sell to BPL later. There are intelligent systems today that can store power in batteries, or sell to BPL’s grid whenever you prefer.

Once all the national grid-tie regulation is in place, you will be all set to make the most of it immediately. In effect, your battery system can automatically grid-tie whenever you want it to. Your green energy expert should be able to advise you regarding this.

• Change out incandescent light bulbs and CFL bulbs to Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). This can cut the lighting portion of your electricity bill by 70-90 per cent. These bulbs last for up to 20 years and carry great warranties, even in the Bahamas.

• Add a solar attic vent. Properly ventilated roofs make an entire home feel cooler and more comfortable. This also means your air conditioner has to work less, and your roof has a longer lifetime, saving you money. Solar attic vents can also extract hundreds more cubic yards of air per hour than older units, and they run for free from the sun.

• Cool smarter. If you have air conditioners or walk-in coolers and freezers, add an energy efficiency retrofit such as Energ2 or Smartcool. These let you keep your current unit and pay less to use it.

• Fit a Tubular Skylight. This solution is great for businesses because using the modern tubular design can easily cut your lighting bill in half.

At home, kitchens, laundries, studies and all dark areas benefit from natural light brought in by skylights. Solar versions are another great alternative. Well-lit buildings not only save energy and money, but also appear larger, more inviting and are great home improvement options.

• Upgrade your water heating. Solar, tankless and hybrid water heating systems each provide unique strengths and erase 35 per cent of your power bill.

• Eliminate ‘phantom power drain’, which is the power consumed by devices when they are off. In fact, the phantom drain can pull as much power every year as the amount used when a device is actually activated. Unplug unused devices or use power boards to banish the phantom.

• Talk with your local green solutions professional for more steps and strategies.

• NB: Joshua Key is general manager for SuperGreen Solutions Bahamas, located on Wulff Road next to FYP. SuperGreen Solutions is one of the premier advisors, suppliers and installers of domestic and commercial energy efficient solutions, making it a ‘one-stop energy efficient solution shop’.