KINGSTON, Jamaica – The devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa has sparked renewed interest in solar energy across Jamaica, with homeowners, businesses and Government agencies increasingly looking to alternative power sources amid growing concerns about the reliability of the national electricity grid.

The hurricane, which made landfall in Jamaica a year ago, severely disrupted Jamaica Public Service (JPS) operations, leaving more than half a million customers without electricity. Western Jamaica was particularly hard hit, with some communities and commercial centres enduring prolonged outages that underscored the vulnerability of the island’s traditional power infrastructure.

The experience has prompted a growing shift towards energy independence, with greater emphasis being placed on renewable energy and reliable backup systems.

The push is also gaining support from Government, with Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon advocating greater use of renewable energy to minimise disruptions to schools during extreme weather events.

The National Housing Trust (NHT), meanwhile, has introduced specialised solar loan benefits and grants to assist homeowners seeking to make the transition.

Against this backdrop, TW Solar, the solar distribution arm of the Tank-Weld Group, is moving to strengthen the technical capacity of local installers to meet the growing demand.

On Saturday, November 7, the company hosted a technical training workshop in Kingston, bringing specialists from global inverter and energy storage manufacturer Deye to Jamaica to train more than 100 independent local solar installers in the safe and efficient deployment of solar systems.

According to the company, the workshop is the first in a series of free training sessions aimed at equipping local contractors with the technical knowledge and manufacturer support needed to deliver reliable installations.

“At TW Solar, our commitment goes beyond supplying quality equipment,” said Andrew Bicknell, managing director of TW Solar.

“These free training sessions give installers direct access to the manufacturer’s expertise and best practices, helping them better serve their customers. By supporting local installers, we aim to make solar energy more affordable, accessible and reliable for Jamaicans,” he added.

TW Solar operates as a wholesale supplier rather than an installation company, allowing independent contractors to purchase equipment without competing with the distributor for installation business.

The company said its direct distribution model has helped reduce solar equipment prices by as much as 40 per cent across the island, while its local inventory of replacement parts is intended to eliminate the lengthy delays often associated with sourcing warranty components from overseas.

Luis Ying, Latin America sales manager for Deye, stressed the importance of strengthening local technical expertise as Jamaica expands its renewable energy capacity.

“Better-trained installers mean better systems for Jamaican homes and businesses, and we look forward to continuing this work with TW Solar,” he said.

In a further move to strengthen after-sales support, TW Solar has partnered with 4876 Enterprise Ltd to provide certified technical repairs and troubleshooting services.

The two companies have also confirmed plans to establish an official Deye service centre in Jamaica in 2027, providing local technical support and improving access to repairs and maintenance.

“Developing skilled local professionals is essential to strengthening Jamaica’s renewable energy industry,” said Devon Brown, managing director of 4876 Enterprise Ltd.

With Jamaica pursuing a target of generating 50 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, the growing demand for solar installations is creating opportunities for investment, technical training and greater energy resilience.

For many Jamaicans, however, the shift is no longer simply about reducing electricity bills. The experience of Hurricane Melissa has brought into sharp focus the importance of having dependable alternative power when the national grid fails.