THE roll-out of solar boxes in the local market has been giving homeowners access to reliable backup energy while also helping to reduce electricity costs.

The units, sold locally by Solar Essentials and its sister company Eyeland Eyewear, have seen steady growth— especially following the passage of Category 5 storm Hurricane Melissa which knocked out power and left many households disconnected from the national grid.

“The solar boxes we sell are a form of back-up system that can help keep essential items powered — similar to what a generator would do. We’ve been offering them since the start of this year, and sales have been going really well. Our current inventory is now almost sold out,” a Solar Essentials sales representative, who requested anonymity, told the Jamaica Observer recently.

Emerging as another type of energy-saving tool, the representative also said the installation of a solar box can save homeowners between $5000 to $10,000 on their monthly electricity bills.

Designed as off-grid power systems, the boxes are compact, self-contained units capable of powering household appliances without connection to the national grid. Each unit typically includes a solar panel, a deep-cycle storage battery, and a solar controller to regulate power flow. They are recommended for smaller appliances such as televisions, radios, mobile phones, and refrigerators.

“We don’t recommend the use of other appliances such as washing machines, microwaves, AC units or a hotplate. The main use of these boxes is to keep some items within the household connected. It is mostly suitable for times of disasters or during power outages, to keep items such as the refrigerator powered and cellphones charged. It cannot, therefore, run a full household,” the rep explained.

The 110-volt units, designed to handle approximately 1,200 watts of solar input, are recommended for usage totals not exceeding 1,000 watts at a time.

“What we often advise customers is to operate on a day-and-night schedule. For example, keep the refrigerator plugged in during the day, then unplug it at night to free up energy for smaller loads such as a fan, TV, Wi-Fi router, or rechargeable lights. Because of the refrigerator’s higher energy draw, nothing else should be plugged in while it’s running,” the representative added.

Currently marketed at a discounted price of $200,000, the units — also referred to as solar generator — come fully equipped with a 700-watt solar panel, screws, mounts, wiring, and all components needed for set-up.

“The solar box comes as a DIY [do-it-yourself] kit, which means an individual can set it up on their own. We also provide a video guide with each purchase to walk customers through the entire installation process,” the representative said.

As demand for the product continues to grow the individual said the company is now looking to order new stock from its supplier overseas. “Each unit now carries an estimated 10-year lifespan, based on usage.”