When and why did you relocate to Kingston?

In 2012, I was happily living in Barcelona working on my own in the renewable energy sector when a renewables crisis hit the sector hard and I decided to look for a new job elsewhere until the situation returned to normal. I started to research jobs on different websites and on one particular site I typed “international jobs” and among the results was business development manager required to work for a solar company called Sofos in Jamaica.

What has been your most memorable experience here so far?

I had a very funny moment my first year in Jamaica. I used to date a girl with really nice short hair; we went out a few times. One day I was walking on Knutsford Boulevard and a nice girl with long straight hair stopped me on the road. I asked if I knew her and she said,”Seriously, David!” Apparently, she was the girl I used to date, but with new super-long red hair. Right away, I discovered that in Jamaica you can go from short to very long hair in one day!

What is your idea of a perfect weekend in Kingston?

A perfect weekend for me is finishing work at 5:00 on Friday, then heading to the dancehall class at Spartan. Later on, I’ll meet up with friends at Cru or Terra Nova for a bite to eat then head to Marketplace for drinks. I’ll sleep in a bit on Saturday morning, then go downtown to buy some groceries and have lunch at F&B Downtown. Later I’ll have a siesta, then a good paella followed by movies. Sunday, I’ll spend the day at Bamboo beach in Ocho Rios.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

Without a doubt, the endless summers playing all day long until night time with a large group of friends in my grandmother´s Mediterranean medieval town called Guimerà. Those summers were awesome, endless, with so many fun friends, without the interruption of parents — so many stories and so much love. I am feeling so happy just thinking about it right now!

Which five words best describe you?

Charming. Passionate. Determined. Honest. Persistent.

Briefly describe Sofos’ mission.

Sofos’ mission is to change the world we live in by powering countries with clean, inexpensive and reliable energy.

Many developing countries have experimented with different sources of renewable energy. Which resources is Jamaica rich in?

Jamaica has all the good ones; the problem is that we are not maximising their potential. We have free sun, we have wind, we have water, we have sea waves, we have biomass, we have waste, we have geothermal, we have people, we have universities, and we have the theory, etc. We need to change our mindset as well as accept that a new era is here to stay where different technologies will allow us to generate clean energy in multiple ways.

Jamaica has a great opportunity and could be the model to follow. Jamaica could show the world how to be 100% self-sufficient using renewable energy. It is challenging of course, and not easy, but not impossible. Nothing is impossible with determination and good will. We just need to wish it, plan it and do it.

Many people are deterred by the initial costs of renewable energy solutions (like solar panels). How are these, over the long term, more cost-effective?

That is true, especially for domestic installations. This can be an excuse for not going solar, but with the financial options you have today this excuse is no longer valid. You can easily get midterm loans to buy solar systems at most of the local banks.

For commercial businesses that have roof or land spaces, not going solar is the biggest mistake, ever. Companies are wasting millions of dollars.What they are doing is like burning notes, and this affects the whole economy.

Nowadays, the price of solar modules is so low that they can produce the cheapest kWh. Just to give you an example, in 2008,we were selling solar modules at US $6 per watt. Today we are selling it at US $0.3 per watt.There is no other technology in the market that can produce cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable kWh. And the prices are still going down.

What projects are you currently overseeing?

We are currently doing the mechanical and electrical installation of the biggest solar plant in the West Indies at Paradise Park, Savanna-La-Mar. With this capacity Jamaica will be able to power thousands of homes and businesses with green clean energy.

Which other cities have you lived in? How do they compare to Kingston?

Well, I have lived in Verdu, Guimerà, Lleida, Barcelona, Dublin and Santo Domingo. Kingston, to me, is like an undiscovered gem. It has so much potential and I am often surprised when people talk about it as a dangerous city. We know that the city has issues, but like any other big city in the world. I lived in Barcelona in the city centre and sometimes I felt much more insecure than in Kingston.

A night out or a night in?

I have been all my life an outdoor person. My mom used to say if the house ever falls down I definitely would not need to worry because it will not trap me under. I would say that a combination of both could be perfect, but mainly nights out on the weekends.

Where’s your favourite place to hang out in Kingston?

I love many places, not just one favourite! However, normally when I have visitors, I have this weekly plan:

Monday: Mojito Mondays

Tuesday: Taco night at Chilitos

Wednesday: Pepper Seed at Pulse or Weddy Weddy Wednesdays

Thursday: Salsa night at South Beach or karaoke at JoJo’s

Friday: Terra Nova, Beer Mug Fridays at East Next Door in Marketplace or Reggae Mill’s Fridays at the Devon.

Saturday: Cru, 100 or Sky Dweller

Sunday: Dub Club

Finally, what’s your personal credo?

Don´t leave for tomorrow what you can do today.