SOLAR PUSH

Emera Caribbean Renewables is seeking to create more awareness about the benefits of using solar energy and as such, is inviting local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to tell them how they could put to good use an energy-efficient photovoltaic system.

Neilsen Beneby, Renewable Energy Manager at Emera Caribbean Renewables Ltd. (ECRL), a Barbados-based renewable energy services company, explained just yesterday at the launch of the company’s “Solar Fuh We” promotion, that NGOs registered in Barbados would be required to share how a free photovoltaic system would be of value to them and the work they do. The company says submissions should clearly explain the focus of their work and how a free, fully installed photovoltaic system of up to 5 kWp, a year of operation and complimentary maintenance, would be of benefit to them.

“Barbados is recognised as a leader in the region and in the wider Caribbean and without fear of contradiction, I would say even in the world, with our target of 100 per cent renewable energy by the year 2030 and what we are seeking to do with this initiative, is to get NGOs to be a part of the movement and to participate in it at no cost to them. We understand that NGOs need support from the general public and they provide a great service in whatever respective space that they operate in, so we want to support that,” Beneby said, while on location at The Sands Barbados Hotel where the launch was held.

Beneby also spoke to the synergies the competition has with ECRL.

“ECRL works in partnership with customers from the project development phase through construction and operation, to ensure that our solutions are custom-engineered to meet the unique needs of each customer and working with the winning NGO will be another example of this,” he remarked.

Kamal Seale, Systems Engineer for ECRL, also noted the need to aid in achieving Government’s 2030 renewable energy targets and that the initiative would assist in this exercise.

“We are encouraging the NGOs to join this competition, so that they could play their part in the National Energy Policy goal of attaining energy efficiency and reduce our carbon emissions by 2030. We want to support the transition to 100 per cent energy sustainability by 2030 and this is a way for the NGOs to be a part of that movement as well,” Seale stated.

The promotion will run from September 21, 2020 until October 21, 2020. Submissions will be considered by a team of judges. Five finalists will be chosen on October 23 and their entries placed on Emera Caribbean Renewables’ Facebook page and website at www.emeracaribbeanrenewablesltd.com. The public has one week, up to October 30, to vote on the entries and the finalist will be chosen on October 31, the end of Energy Month. The winner will take away a PV system valued at over $20,000. (RSM)