Dear Editor,
For several years solar has been the least costly way to generate electricity, especially in a country like Cayman which has lots of sunshine but no local supply of petroleum, diesel or gas. Recent events involving the USA and Iran have reinforced the view that solar is the best way to have a secure supply of power at a price which will not increase due to forces beyond our control.
Cayman has limited land space so solar panels are best placed on spaces already used such as roofs, car parks and sidewalks. Picture cruise tourists waiting to board the tender back to the ship. They could be shaded by solar panels with part of the power used to fan them as they wait. Picture parking your car under solar panels, which keep the cars cool while making electricity to help the supermarket keep their costs down. All large buildings which use a lot of electricity could cut their bills by covering their roofs with solar panels. Hopefully some of the savings would be passed on to the customers.
But the biggest saving available to individuals is when they put solar panels on their own roof.
Here is an example of how it can work:
A typical householder uses 13,800 kWh electricity per year. She pays CUC an average monthly bill of $350 which is $4,200 per year. (Experience suggests the bills are likely to increase in future years.)
That amount of electricity can be generated by solar panels installed on her roof for about $20K.
If she has to get a loan for the full $20K and has to pay interest at 5%, she will pay off the loan at $350 per month and finish paying in about 7 years. (Note: this monthly payment will not increase in future years.)
After that she is generating all her electricity for free for the rest of the life of the panels.
Of course, solar panels only work in daytime, so batteries are needed.
These do not have to be lithium based. Several utility scale batteries have been developed using lower cost, readily available materials. (e.g. salt). Many are shipping container size, which could be located in various locations around the Islands. Hospitals, hurricane shelters, large companies may replace their diesel generators with batteries.
Homeowners could install batteries and even become independent of the grid. However, whether they have solar or not, most homes will require CUC to receive, store and distribute the supply of electricity. CUC will have to install many batteries either centrally or at strategic locations.
Who is in control?
Government must take the lead, working with CUC and lending institutions (e.g. banks).
CUC will no longer be the main generator of electricity but will need to control the grid, the storage of power from many suppliers, and the delivery of power to the consumers. Clearly this will come at a cost to consumers, though present rates from CUC suggest a very moderate monthly rate. (So, our householder will not be getting her power totally free!)
Summing up:
- Cayman should move as much as possible and as soon as possible to solar generation.
- Solar panels should be placed on or above existing structures and not spread over the countryside.
- The benefits of solar power must be made available to everyone.
- CUC should cease being the main generator, but should control the receiving, storage and delivery of electricity.
- Government and the banks have big roles to play.
Call for help:
This article was written in the belief that whether the price of oil continues to rise or not, Cayman should move more quickly to switch to solar power. It will be obvious that I am not professionally qualified to speak about the issues raised, but I do feel they are vitally important.
I hope there will be serious discussion that will lead to action for the benefit of all.
Richard Sigsworth
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