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Schools can save US$58 million on light bills - survey
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
JAMAICA'S primary and secondary schools could cut almost US$58 million (J$4 billion) from their light bills over 20 years by installing solar panels and energy- efficient technology, according to estimates from a report commissioned by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ).
Made public yesterday at a PCJ seminar on energy efficiency at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston, the data is based on walk- through audits of eight educational institutions conducted last year, which identified potential annual savings of up to 40 per cent and payback of between two and three years.
The project would have the advantage of introducing the technology to Jamaicans at a young age. However, funding is yet to be identified with installation costs and 20-year maintenance expected to exceed US$150 million ($10.7 billion). Liabilities for theft, vandalism and hurricane damage must also be considered.
"At the moment it's just at a brainstorming stage and they haven't decided as yet but it is something that we are going to look into," PCJ engineer Christina Francis told the Observer.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
JAMAICA'S primary and secondary schools could cut almost US$58 million (J$4 billion) from their light bills over 20 years by installing solar panels and energy- efficient technology, according to estimates from a report commissioned by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ).
Made public yesterday at a PCJ seminar on energy efficiency at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston, the data is based on walk- through audits of eight educational institutions conducted last year, which identified potential annual savings of up to 40 per cent and payback of between two and three years.
The project would have the advantage of introducing the technology to Jamaicans at a young age. However, funding is yet to be identified with installation costs and 20-year maintenance expected to exceed US$150 million ($10.7 billion). Liabilities for theft, vandalism and hurricane damage must also be considered.
"At the moment it's just at a brainstorming stage and they haven't decided as yet but it is something that we are going to look into," PCJ engineer Christina Francis told the Observer.
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