FOR some people, installing a solar system may not be the end of high bills from Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPS), and there are many steps involved — from certification to licensing — that can push up the cost and mire users in reams of red tape.

“Not everyone has the same experience — a lot depends on how the system is set up and the type of metering infrastructure in place. Some meters do not record the solar power. In some cases, the customer has to install a meter socket to ensure accurate registration of production/usage. In some cases, a meter change by JPS can help to resolve the issue,” the utility provider’s Director of Corporate Communications Winsome Callum told the Jamaica Observer.

She said users whose installation of a solar system coincides with the start of estimated bills from the JPS should alert the company and efforts will be made to rectify challenges identified.

“Maybe the communication network isn’t allowing the meter reading to come through, hence you’re getting estimates. Maybe the connection wasn’t done properly: we had a similar case…turned out the system wasn’t properly connected. The owner had to get the people who installed it to do the corrective work,” Callum added.

The JPS communications director stressed that anyone planning to go solar needs to check a number of boxes before making that significant investment. These include certification of work done by an electrician to prepare the space to effectively harness solar power.

“All electrical installations, including solar systems on your private premises, must be certified by the Government Electrical Regulator (GER). This ensures that the system meets the required specifications and safety standards — to protect you, your family, members of the public, as well as persons who work on the public electricity distribution network,” Callum told the Sunday Observer.

She emphasised that if adjustments are made to a system after installation, it has to be recertified by the GER.

Callum also noted that a licence, issued by the energy ministry, is required for anyone who plans to install a grid-tied system. This is a system that automatically switches to the JPS supply when there is no solar-generated power stored and none available — for example, at night or on rainy/very cloudy days. The licence is required even if there is no plan to sell unused energy to JPS.

As with certification, the licence must be updated to reflect any changes made to the system after it is installed.

But long before those steps, it is best to get a professional to do an assessment of your energy needs. This will determine what type of system you need: the number and placement of panels, battery and inverter size. Some solar companies make this the first step for a new client and the fee charged for this site visit is deducted from the cost of the resulting purchase.

It is also a good idea to figure out, from the outset, if the investment in solar is a smart one.

“Do the solar math by calculating the return on your investment. Consider all the costs in your calculations, such as the licence, purchase of system, installation, maintenance, replacement time and cost, back-up energy, as well as loan interest and repayment, where applicable. For some persons, moving to a solar system will reap savings but for some, it may actually be more costly. It makes sense to do the math so that your expectations and the reality are not far apart,” advised Callum.

To make the most of the money spent, it is advisable to maximise use of the sun when it is available. This provides an advantage for individuals working from home or businesses that use most of their power during regular working hours.

“The peak period for production of electricity from solar panels is roughly between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, dependent on the time of the year,” said Callum.

More JPS tips for the solar switch 

Battery pros & cons Batteries can be used to save energy for use when the sun goes down but they will push up the cost of your system by at least 40 per cent.“Energy stored by your batteries will not necessarily take you through the night. Size matters, and a small battery system giving two to three hours of electricity may not be adequate for your evening activities. For more storage, a bigger investment will be needed in batteries — sometimes the equivalent of the cost of the panels themselves. So, if most of your activity is in the evening, you may want to take another look at your plans to go solar.”

Location, location, location

“A qualified consultant will likely use an instrument called a solar pathfinder, which tells you how many hours of the day, and how many months of the year your roof is shaded. This will guide you in making the right decision about the placement of your panels.

Your assessment must also take into consideration the size and condition of your roof, as well as possible hazards and things that could prevent you from making the most of the sun. For example, solar panels are best placed on flat roofs, tilted about 18 degrees and facing south where you can get most sunlight.”

Conservation still a keep

“Energy efficiency and conservation are as important as ever when you decide to go solar. You still need to cut out energy waste, or you may invest more than is necessary without getting the benefits.

As part of your preparation to invest in solar power, it’s best to identify areas of inefficiency in your household or business. The experts advise that you should not try to match your investment in solar with your current usage. Start by cutting out waste and reducing your energy demand. Then get a solar system that matches your reduced consumption. This way you save on your initial investment, and you can always expand your system later, if necessary.”

Choose wisely

“Do your due diligence before selecting a solar partner. Your solar dealer must be a reputable registered company. Assess the competence of the company before making a final decision — check out their track record, and get feedback from their customers. Find out whether their products have been passed by the Bureau of Standards [Jamaica]. Get details of what is expected from your new solar system. Ask questions about warranties, maintenance and service contracts. Have them show you how to track your solar production.”