Dear Editor,
I am very pleased with Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, who stated that “30,000 households (are going) to soon benefit from solar energy”. This disclosure was made at the Fourth Regional Committee Meeting for the Latin America and Caribbean Region of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) that was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) a few days ago. Fantastic! This kind of talk reflects reality and development and points to a rapidly evolving Guyana. The Minister explained, quite rightly that “Solar energy, is playing an important role in achieving energy inclusivity, particularly through the deployment of solar solutions in hinterland and remote communities … as Guyana has an off-the-grid population with these persons residing in hinterland and outlying areas.”
Now, for a few comments on this most important project, as I think that a lot of people are still not quite au fait with this kind of drive worldwide,
For one, distributed solar energy is on the global rise, generating enough electricity to power millions of homes each year, and resulting in annual carbon dioxide emission reductions equivalent to taking some 4.4 million passenger vehicles off the road. So, in terms of public policy, Guyana is right on track, playing its part in driving the growth of solar energy, as it is recognising the enormous benefits that solar power can provide both today and in the future.
I add further that rooftop solar power generally adds value to the electric grid. It not only reduces the need for generation from and investment in central power plants, but over the long lifetime of solar energy systems, it also can increase price stability and grid reliability, and reduce environmental compliance costs. Therefore, one must compliment the pioneers and pushers of this kind of mindset.
A second factor, rooted in scientific data mind you, is that for each 1kW of solar installed, home value could increase up to 3-4 per cent. For example, if a property is worth $300,000, that means an increase of anywhere between $9000 to $12,000. Do the math and see what is the value for a non-solar 5 million house? So, at the personal level, solar consideration is the way to go. How about thinking on some overall benefits? Here are a few – positive impact on the environment; reduction of energy bill; energy production during peak hours; solar energy is applicable everywhere; less electricity lost during long-distance transport; improvement to grid security; and job creation.
A closing caveat is in order, as many may want to criticiser this move, which is in its incipient stages. The Minister noted that “with the support of the Indian Exim (Export-Import) Bank, we have already concluded a project to procure and deploy 30,000 household solar units to bring solar electricity to 30,000 homes.” He detailed that “Even though our energy transition might not comprise solar as the bulk producer to the grid, solar energy is playing a tremendous role in achieving energy inclusivity because even though it is at a small level, at the community level, from that one project, 30,000 households which did not have electricity will now have electricity.” As we all know, many households are far away from the grid to be able to connect but it is good to know that 30,000 households are now going to get electricity for the first time ever and similar solutions can be deployed for other remote areas.
For many like me, it is a win-win situation.
Yours truly,
H Singh
