Above: Minister of State for the Environment Phenton Neymour addresses the audience during the launch of the government’s Solar Panel Initiative. (BIS Photo/Gena Gibbs).

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Bahamian government has launched a solar panel pilot programme, according to State Minister for the Environment Phenton Neymour.

The plan looks to offer 100 solar water heaters and 33 solar electricity photovoltaic systems at no capital cost to participants.

“The programme is aimed at investigating the use of solar energy in the Bahamas and will seek to expand the existing energy matrix while also allowing participants to interconnect with BEC’s electricity power grid,” Neymour said.

The cost of the systems is approximately $3,000 per heater and $10,000 per PV system.

The programme is open to all homeowners in government subdivisions across the country, although each home must be less than 2,000 square feet, and the participant must pay for the cost of installation by an approved installer.

Only one system will be provided per household.

“In our quest for energy independence, we must find ways to exploit the natural resources of the Bahamas, especially the abundant energy resource that could be found in solar energy,” he said.

Last week, Caribbean Journal talked to Roger Chang about the Jamaica Solar Energy Association and similar initiatives in Jamaica.