JPS has taken another historic step by connecting its first official net billing customer to the grid.

The customer, Gordon Lawrence of a Corporate Area address, was officially commissioned after rigorous preparation and testing of the solar system at his home, supplied and installed by Alternative Power Sources.

Any excess energy from the solar system, not used by Lawrence will be sold to JPS.

Lawrence was one of 11 JPS customers who received net billing licences from the Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister Phillip Paulwell earlier this year. Net billing customers will be paid the avoided cost of generation for the electricity JPS purchases, as well as up to a 15 per cent premium on that price.

JPS President and CEO Kelly Tomblin, in commenting on this landmark event, said that the company was pleased to fulfil its mandate to accommodate customers on the grid, as part of the development of Jamaica’s new energy landscape.

For his part, Lawrence is not new to generating his own power supply, as he installed his system four years ago. He said that the process of getting on to the JPS grid — from application, to obtaining a licence, to dealing with the Office of Utilities Regulation, JPS, Alternative Power Sources and the Government Electrical Inspector — was relatively smooth.

“The system is superior to that of a standby generator, as the changeover is seamless and silent. It is also better than a generator in terms of cost,” he advised, “as generators require fuel after purchase of the equipment.”

His current system produces roughly 10 to 15 kWh per day on average, with the surprise being that the so-called winter months from October to February have proven to be the most efficient months in terms of energy output.

JPS Project Manager for Net Billing Volton Campbell also recognised the advantage of Lawrence’s system, saying that “unlike some solar systems that will not operate once there is no sunlight, Mr Lawrence’s system can operate when it’s cloudy, as well as at night”.

This, Campbell said, is because Lawrence’s system also has back-up batteries which are charged by the solar system.

“Many people don’t realise that in the event of a power outage, grid-tie solar systems that are without back-up batteries will not be able to produce power,” added Campbell.

In offering advice to other consumers, Lawrence said: “Don’t rush into buying panels and inverters. You can carry out an energy audit in your home or office. First, you want energy-efficient appliances and lighting. For example, an inverter refrigerator will reduce your load by 20 per cent. Incandescent bulbs must be the first thing to go. Some countries have already banned these devices as they produce more heat than light.”

Lawrence revealed that he had already changed over to fluorescent lights and whenever there is a need to have a bulb changed, it is replaced with an LED unit.

“Basically, it is a simply common sense approach,” he said.