INTRODUCTION

The world is currently facing an energy crisis, not only from the rapidly depleting sources of fossil fuel, but also from global turmoil in the major oil producing region. In recognition, the world governments have recognized the need to now change focus to renewable energy sources. This focus will have positive global effects because renewable energy sources will reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses (from the burning of fossil fuels) and reduce the depletion of the earth's ozone layer. This constitutes the best solution to the world's energy crisis.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is as the name implies "A naturally occurring form of energy that always reoccurs" such as energy from the sun, wind, hydro, tidal and geo thermal. Technologies exist to harness the energy from these sources.

"Sun:- ………. Solar energy (passive - obtaining heat energy; active - converting electron radiation to electricity (photo-voltaic)

"Wind:- …….. Turbine energy (passive - mechanical power shaft; active - converting mechanical power to electricity).

"Hydro:- ……. The flow of water to provide energy (passive - mechanical power shaft; active - converting mechanical power to electricity).

"Tidal:- ……… The flow of water to provide energy (passive - mechanical power shaft; active - converting mechanical power to electricity).

"Geo-thermal:- Energy derived from temperature differences between the earth's surface and sub surface.

Effects

With the rising cost of fossil fuel which translates in the continual increases in electrical utility bills, it has now become imperative to convert to an alternative source of energy, RES. Fortunately, Jamaica is geographically located to take advantage of the most abundant source of energy (the sun). Current technologies permit the harnessing of the energy from the sun and convert it to usable residential / commercial power supplies.

Government Awareness

Based on the Jamaican government's target to reduce the cost of energy derived from fossil fuel sources by 10% through the introduction of solar and other types of renewable sources, the public ought to be aware of the availability of commercial and residential solar power solutions to assist with the achievement of this most important national goal.

In reviewing Jamaica's energy consumption (fossil fuel), 30% of fuel importation is utilized by the electrical utility. Of this amount, 50% is passed on directly to the Jamaican consumer as energy and Independent Power Producers (IPP) charges on their utility bills. This category of energy use can be drastically reduced through the use of solar energy in the form of Photo-voltaic electricity production. PV solar electricity is a renewable energy source (the conversion of electron emissions from the sun into electricity) and is significantly predominant in our region.

Although being very expensive to produce at a large scale for heavy industrial use, it is more practical and available for residential and commercial applications. In this way, approximately 50% of the Jamaican consumer's utility bill could be realized as an energy saving for the government.

A net reduction of 15% in fossil fuel importation will realize a savings of $8.95 per KWH of energy produced by the electric utility company. This will be a significant reduction in foreign exchange expenditure and will ultimately have a positive effect on Jamaica's annual import/export and balance of payments figures. The economic advantage to be realized is coupled with an improvement in the electric utility's efficiency through the ability to supply the peak demand by enabling it to run its less efficient generators for shorter periods and therefore saving expensive fuel.

Looking on the environmental picture, the burning of less fossil fuel will reduce our green-house gas emission. This will enhance our environmental image as a "green" travel destination by making our contribution to the current international drive to reduce global warming.

Another factor that must be taken into account is the global effect on oil (fossil fuel) prices. Global instabilities coupled with increased demands from the immergence of new economic power nations, have increased the demand for oil to the extent where the cost of a barrel of oil at the beginning of the year 2005 at $40.00, have moved to $64.00 at the end of 2005 (peaking at $70.00 during October/November). Seemingly, this situation will not be alleviated in the near future (it is speculated that oil could reach $100.00 by the end of 2006).

It now seems evident that renewable energy sources must now play its roll in being an alternative energy source for developing countries, Jamaica included.

Enter UUC Solar

The Universal Utility Solar Division is a newly formed company specializing in the engineering and supply of photo voltaic solar electric generating systems.

These systems find application in areas such as home and commercial power, water irrigation systems, remote communication systems and marine power systems.

The major advantages are as follows:-

"Environmentally friendly (renewable energy source)

"One shot investment (system pays for itself over time)

"Reduced dependency on electrical utility or non dependency on utility at all

"Un-interrupted power supply (system includes battery storage). Can be made hurricane proof.

"Twenty five years guarantee on PV panels, 15 years on the electronics and 7years min. on batteries.

"No moving parts (no possibility of mechanical breakdown).

"Very stable AC voltage and cycle (no appliance failure due to low voltage or cycle fluctuations).

Our arrangement with one of the world's largest suppliers of PV solar systems put us in the unique position of being able to supply them at attractive prices to customers here in Jamaica. Warranties and guarantees are forwarded to the customer.

The 170 years of experience in the distribution of electrical energy possessed by our engineers, have equipped us with the ability to accurately assess the power consumption of potential customers and then design the ideal PV system to effect the desired savings and reduced dependence on the power utility. The supporting staff, experienced in domestic and commercial power installation, is equipped to deliver safe and professional installation.

Please contact us for a free assessment and quotation, so that we may assist you in having a dependable and affordable energy supply (that will pay for itself) at last.

Know Some Technical Terms

o I - current (amp):- A measure of the flow of electric charges through a conducting medium.

o V - voltage (volt):- A measure of the potential difference of an electric charge between two conducting medium.

o W - power (watt) = (I x V):- A measure of the power generated or consumed by a device and is a product of the current and the voltage.

o H - Time (H):- A measure of Time in hours (60 minutes).

o K - Kilo (1,000):- A multiplying factor of 1,000 which is convenient to express large quantities.

o D - Time (D):- A measure of Time in one day (24 hours).

o M - Month (M):- A measure of Time in one month (30 days).

o E - Energy (WH):- A measure of the power used over time (power x time = WH).

o AC - Alternating Current:- Identifies the format of the current which is a sinusoidal cycle measured in Hertz (Hz = cycles per second)

o DC - Direct Current:- Identifies the format of the current which is non cyclic and is directly polarized as positive & negative.

o Sunlight day - (SD):- Identifies the hours of sunlight in one day under normal conditions.

o Non-Sunlight day - (NSD):- Identifies the time (number of days) in which a pv system is desired to operate without being charged by the sun.

UNIVERSAL UTILITY COMPANY - SOLAR DIVISION

38 Langston Road. Kgn 3

Tel: (876) 938 3535, Fax: (876) 938 3667

Email:- uniutilco1@cwjamaica.com

D.Lawrence - dlawrence@uucsolar.com

L.Hanlan - lhanlan@uucsolar.com