The Fun Side of Solar

It has been said recently that with the impending VAT implementation to take effect beginning January 1, 2015 that BEC utility rates ". . . might increase a bit, . . ." So with apparent changes on the way, this may be as good of time as any to take a closer look at solar. But this time, lets take a glance from a different perspective. Lets make a dramatic departure from the normal conversations surrounding the dollars and "sense" reasons for adopting solar. Lets brush past the practical and logical reasons for embracing renewable energy to generate electricity in a land that is as sun drenched as you could possible hope for. Lets even push back from the conversations focused on the rapid return-on-investment (ROI) projections that make solar such a wonderfully, practical option for the Bahamas. However, just for the sake of entertainment, lets dive into a somewhat humorous vision of solar in the Bahamas. For lack of a better phrase, . . . "the fun side of solar."

Most of us have heard and believe that solar is a reasonable option for the Bahamas. However,  financially the word on the street is that it's far too expensive. For the average household, it's out of reach. But for just a moment, lets look at some other possibilities in a fun and lighthearted perspective. Lets have some fun here  . . .  but first, lets get serious!

IMAGINE: You just installed a very small 4 Solar Panel, Off-Grid battery system on your home.  Surprisingly, at an average rate of $0.44/kWh, you would generate somewhere in the range of $66 worth of electrical power every month. 

Over 1-Year that adds up to an estimated $792. In 5-Years you would 

have produced an equivalent of $3,960 worth of electrical power. That may not sound like much, but if your average BEC Bill is $300 per month. That estimated $66 worth of electricity you generate each month represents about 22% of your electric bill. Can you imagine what your savings would be if you reduced your lighting loads by switching to LED Bulbs too? How much savings do you imagine you'd enjoy if you added a timer to your hot water heater to reduce consumption while you're away at work each day?  Combining conservation with a system as small as 4 Solar panels would have an amazing impact on your monthly utility bill.

Ok, as promised, back to the "fun side of solar." As electric rates keep pace with rising fossil fuel costs. What is the inflation rate for sunshine? When fossil fuels spill into the ocean we call it an "oil spill". What do you call it when sunshine covers the ocean? A power outage can happen at any inconvenient moment of the day or night. Not counting another ice-age creeping up on us, how predictable  has the rising and the setting of the sun been in the past, ohhh, 4,000 years or so? Fossil fuels require an extensive conversion, distribution  and delivery system to transport usable fuels to the end user. Sunshine is distributed free of charge worldwide without any known duty, VAT or tariff charges, so far! Fossil fueled power generation equipment operates at somewhat heightened sound levels. Solar power systems sound like, . . . sunshine. 

Lastly, a solar panel will generate power for about 25 years or more at fairly acceptable levels. So going back to our earlier

"imagine" scenario with 4 solar panels. After 25 Years, the lowly 4 solar panels would have generated, without factoring in for inflation, an estimated $19,800 worth of electricity. Now here's the real funny part. So just what is the price of owning just those 4 lonely and lowly solar panels we've been talking about? Not including the balance of system components, batteries, etc. . . . $790 ! Yep! Less than the cost of your first year's BEC savings. And that's no joke.

Ok, maybe that wasn't fun at all. But did it turning some wheels of thought in your mind? Can you  now see the real possibility of using renewable energy in your home or business? The technology behind solar power as a means to power homes and businesses isn't going to vanish. Solar is becoming mainstream, so you might as well embrace it on your journey to "going green". Have a good laugh along the way and above all remember this secret. Sunshine is Free!