Times of the Islands Summer 2016

Green Energy (UGE) and local partner Urban Green
Environmental (UGE) in 2014 to design and build a
35.25 kW solar photovoltaic system on the FortisTCI
headquarters in Providenciales. The installation
consists of 141 Hyundai mono crystalline PV modules
on a Schlepper roof-mount system. According
to Jay Bennett, UGE president and project manager,
the system is currently the largest commercial solar
installation in the Turks & Caicos. The pilot project
could serve as a model for solar development in the
Caribbean.
When properly installed, solar panels directly convert
the sun’s rays into direct current (DC) electricity.
These panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells
and are placed on a roof in direct sunlight for optimal
use. When the sunlight hits a solar cell, its photons
are converted into electrons of DC electricity that flow
through an inverter where they are converted into
alternating current (AC) power. This is the electricity
which can then be synchronized into the electric grid.
As the FortisTCI project was being developed, the primary
principles were safety, service quality/reliability,
no cost subsidies, and no increased rates resulting
from introducing renewable energy.
In addition to working out tax policies and grid
connection issues, Jay Bennett says one of the key
requirements for renewable energy installations is that
they survive exposure to hurricane conditions. The
FortisTCI project was designed to survive sustained
winds of 150 mph with gusts up to 200 mph. “Because
it is such a new area for the Turks & Caicos, we spent
a lot of time working with the planning department to
establish appropriate guidelines,” Bennett adds.
With the unqualified success of the pilot program,
FortisTCI was ready to expand the options to their
customer base. In November 2015, they launched two
exciting new solar energy programs.
C.O.R.E.: Customer Owned Renewable Energy
This option allows customers who own or will purchase
solar photovoltaic systems up to 10 kW (residential) or
60kW (commercial) to interconnect with the FortisTCI
grid. (Note: This is the only way for owners of solar
systems to interconnect to the grid. Non-participating
systems must be stand-alone or completely isolated
from the FortisTCI electricity grid.) The billing arrangement
is termed “buy-all, sell-all” which gives customers
a credit on their monthly electricity bill equivalent to
the avoided cost of generation.
renewable energy solutions
energy efficiency solutions
www.greenrevolutionltd.com
moreinfo@greenrevolutionltd.com
tel. 649-232-1393
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Times of the Islands Summer 2016 51