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Food for the Poor Installs 100-Kilowatt Solar System

By: , February 12, 2016

The Key Point:

State Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, has hailed Food for the Poor’s investment in the installation of a 100-kilowatt solar system.
Food for the Poor Installs 100-Kilowatt Solar System
State Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson (left), looks on as Installation Manager at Padero Solar Jamaica, Tim Barker, points out the readings of the 100-kilowatt solar system installed at Food for the Poor’s offices in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Occasion was the official commissioning of the system by the State Minister on February 11.

The Facts

  • Some US$200 million has been invested in various renewable energy initiatives scheduled to come on stream by the end of 2016.
  • Installed by Padero Solar Jamaica in July last year, the 100-kilowatt system consists of five inverters, each with a capacity of 20 kilowatts.

The Full Story

State Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, has hailed Food for the Poor’s investment in the installation of a 100-kilowatt solar system.

“I am happy that companies like Food for the Poor, which is in the volunteer business, continue to make the investments in alternative energy,” the State Minister said.

He was speaking at the official commissioning of the system on February 11 at Food for the Poor’s headquarters at Ellerslie Pen in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.

Mr. Robinson said the solar project is in keeping with the Government’s focus on the development of renewable energy solutions.

Some US$200 million has been invested in various renewable energy initiatives scheduled to come on stream by the end of 2016.

Among the projects are the US$45 million expansion of the Wigton Windfarm in Manchester; and development of a 20-megawatt solar plant in York Town, Clarendon, at a cost of US$47 million.

Facilities Manager at Food for the Poor, Charles Powell, said the US$180,000 investment will allow the charity-based organisation to save on its electricity bill, therefore freeing up more resources to carry out its work.

“Whatever we will save, will put us in a better position to help the less fortunate. That is what Food for the Poor does,” he noted.

Installed by Padero Solar Jamaica in July last year, the 100-kilowatt system consists of five inverters, each with a capacity of 20 kilowatts.

“One of the things we would have experienced since we have started to use solar is a much cleaner supply of electricity, manifesting itself in less maintenance,” Mr. Powell said.

It is expected that Food for the Poor will recover its money in roughly three and a half years.  It is the intention of the charity to sell excess energy to the national grid.

Last Updated: February 15, 2016

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