Now that you have seen the virtues of owning a PV solar system, it is important to follow good energy saving practices to maximize on your investment.

Where possible change most of your loads to energy saving devices.

" Use florescent bulbs in lighting fixtures (replace incandescent bulbs as much as possible).

" Use photo cell in conjunction with motion sensors to control outdoor lighting.

" Recently manufactured domestic equipment is more energy efficient (some are labeled with energy saving stickers).

" PV system delivers 120 volts at 60 Hz (North American system). Most domestic equipment in Jamaica originates from this system; therefore, there will be a noticeable improvement in the efficiency of this equipment. 50 Hz systems are available as an option.

" PV systems are most efficient during hours of sunlight. It is therefore important to restructure your energy use to take advantage of this (e.g. where possible concentrate    the uses of your washing machine, cloth iron, kitchen appliances etc, during hours of sunlight). Remember, apart from the load you have connected to the utility, the load    on the PV system will be transferred to the battery storage during hours of no sunlight.

UUC-Solar designs new PV system to cater for expansion in time. The cost of any expansion will have an offset cost based on useable recovered equipment. This is a bonus in dealing with UUC-Solar.

Well, maybe using so much energy-especially in the form of fossil fuels-is going out of style. Homeowners and renters know that saving energy means saving money, and they're realizing that it does not mean sacrificing functionality. There are many things you can do to save energy, ranging from long-term investments to simple no- or low-cost changes. In fact, simple adjustments-like letting your dishes air dry-add up to significant savings.

Looking for long-term savings? Because we use-and waste-energy in so many ways, there are plenty of options for cutting back. If you replace 25% of your lights in high-use areas with fluorescents, you can save about 50% of your lighting energy bill. In the market for a new appliance? Invest a little extra money in an energy-efficient product and save more money in the long run. If you're building an addition to your home, double-paned windows and proper insulation will reduce your heating and cooling costs, and strategically placed windows will provide daylighting. From water heating to landscaping, most areas of your home offer opportunities to save.

But we will always need energy, and that's why many homeowners are turning to renewable energy sources for a cleaner, more sustainable choice. This can mean investing in solar panels to supply your home's electricity or purchasing a solar water heater. It can also mean installing ground source heat pumps that use the heat of the earth to moderate the temperature of your home. In many areas, utility companies offer clean energy options such as wind power.

And that's not all. While you're at the business of saving money, you'll help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which increases domestic security. You'll also help the environment. In 2000, residences accounted for 20% of U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions-that's 313.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Saving energy also goes hand in hand with other sustainable choices, like saving water and using more friendly materials and products, like paint, carpet, and cleaners. This is good news for the environment, but it also improves the health of your home, so you can breathe easy.

So, where to start? A home energy audit will help you determine what changes will save the most energy and money. If you'd like an overview of energy use in homes, check out the Virtual Home Navigator. Energy Savers is full of useful tips for saving energy, and Home Energy Saver allows you to plug in specific information about your home to find out where you have the most potential for savings.

By now, chances are you've come up with a much better way to spend your money than sending it out your single-paned window. A college savings fund, perhaps, or a water-saving clothes washer? Or how about that vacation you've been dreaming about?

Advantages:-

o        Environmentally friendly (renewable energy source, no contribution to greenhouse gasses)

o        No fuel cost (Electrical energy directly converted from the sun's radiation)

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

o        Un-interrupted power supply (system includes battery storage for days of operation). Exposed equipment can be made hurricane proof.

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

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

o        Twenty five years guarantee on PV panels, 15 years minimum on the electronics and 7 to 15 years minimum on batteries.

o        One shot investment that pays for itself within seven to eight years (at the current utility cost). No electricity cost for the remaining eighteen years or more of                     operation.

o        Dependability & Reliability - (renewable energy source; no moving parts to inflict mechanical breakdown; battery based system that provides days of  electricity during heavy overcast weather conditions as well as over-night conditions).

o        Stability - (solid-state Inverters provides a pure sine wave (psw) from the DC input resulting in a very stable electricity supply with no fluctuations or outages).

o        Diversity - (more than one pv system can be used to diversify large loads; ie. Your load will not be subject to a single  supply, hence securing continual electrical operations).

o        Security - (Independent of the utility; unaffected by external circumstances such as public disorder or unrest, strikes; etc.; internally controlled).

o        No fuel cost - (Electrical energy directly converted from the sun's radiation and used directly or stored in batteries)

o        Pays for itself within seven to eight years -  (at the current utility cost). No electricity cost for the remaining eighteen years or more.

o        Long Term Guarantees - (Twenty five years guarantee on PV panels, 15 years minimum on the electronics and 7 to 15  years minimum on batteries).

o        Practically no major maintenance requirements -  (mainly topping up of battery  electrolytes - distilled watering, cleaning of terminals and the surfaces of pv panels).