Solar Energy for the Future
The economic and environmental case for solar energy is clear, the technical advantage for T&T is indisputable, Government is committed, incentives have been put in place and are likely to improve, and early investors are getting in place to catch the rays of profit. Strict reliance on conventional fuel sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas is becoming questionable as reliable energy sources for future generations. The impact can be examined from both an economic and an CEO – Solar Gray Ltd, environmental perspective. Countries with a heavy reliance on oil and gas Member – Trinidad should be preparing for the future by looking at alternative sustainable and and Tobago Chamber renewable energy sources. of Industry and One sustainable and renewable energy source that should be a priority Commerce for countries like Trinidad and Tobago is solar energy. Solar energy is clean, it is reliable, it increases energy self-reliance, it reduces our overall “carbon footprint,” and it is an infinitely renewable source. Compared to fossil fuels, solar energy is not a contributor to one of the world’s most common air quality problems - photochemical smog. One might ask “Why Solar for Trinidad and Tobago?” Well, according to data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Trinidad and Tobago has some of the highest insolation values in the western hemisphere. The insolation value is a measure of the amount of solar radiation per unit area per day. The average solar insolation value in Trinidad and Tobago can be as much as three (3x) times higher when compared to countries in other parts of the world that are taking full advantage of solar energy, such as Germany, China and the United States. Therefore, if countries with lower insolation values are taking advantage of solar energy, then Trinidad and Tobago should definitely begin to implement such an energy source as part of its strategic array of resources. In places like North America, industry standards dictate that solar panels are to be positioned at an angle of 40 degrees facing south. The closer the angle is to zero, the greater the amount of sunlight absorbed. This augurs well for a country like Trinidad and Tobago, because we are positioned approximately 12 degrees north of the equator. As a result, it affords us the luxury of positioning solar panels, flat plate collectors and solar evacuated tubes at angles of 12 degrees or less and still optimise on solar radiation. Harnessing solar energy in Trinidad and Tobago is not without its challenges and critics. Some people argue that solar is too expensive for the average person to purchase. While the upfront costs may be above what a person may pay for conventional energy, the return on investment in solar balances out expenditure on conventional energy. For example, a solar water heater (thermal) pays for itself in approximately 4.5 years. Another challenge faced with the slow introduction of solar energy in Trinidad and Tobago arises because the current cost of fossil fuel (Oil, Natural Gas, Coal) is somewhat low. Government has already announced its intention to address this issue, beginning with an increase in premium gas prices in 2012. It is also acknowledged that oil and natural gas are non-renewable resources that will eventually run out. The country should, therefore, embark on a backup plan before the reality hits, Chris-Andy Gray
56 • Business Trinidad & Tobago
Photo: Sarah Carter