Solar, wind systems offer reliable alternatives to GPL

Solar, wind systems offer reliable alternatives to GPL By Gitanjali Singh
Stabroek News
March 21, 2003

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Faced with rising costs for electricity and reduced purchasing power, commercial and residential consumers are eyeing alternative sources, and wind and solar energy systems are now on the radar.

But while wind and solar systems mean no bill at the end of the month, the initial investment is high.

Consumers are now hooked into the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) grid with large system losses which they end up paying for, and the tariffs are also susceptible to increases in the price of fuel on the world market, with higher tariffs often remaining long after the fuel prices have dipped.

For the nation, hydropower, biomass and wind energy are considered possible alternatives to the current fuel-driven system, with hydro and biomass holding out the most potential.

However, the long-term prospects of investments in biomass and hydro have been short-circuited by the reported reluctance of GPL to enter into the requisite power purchase agreements. These are needed before any investor would be willing to look at a project.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) currently uses cane waste or bagasse to generate steam to produce electricity for its internal operations and had proposed to install capacity at its new Skeldon Factory to supply 12 megawatts of power to the national grid.

This project has been dropped because the corporation could not reach agreement with GPL on a power purchase agreement, says one senior GUYSUCO official.

The developers of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project make the same allegation against GPL which has denied the charge saying more research needed to be done. This project has received a temporary permit from the Environmental Protection Agency to go ahead and Prime Minister Sam Hinds is expected to convene a meeting between GPL and the developers of Amaila to arrive at an understanding, sources said. A number of companies are in the meantime exploring wind power including Guyron Energy and a Dutch firm.

But these are all long-term solutions for the national grid. The more immediate concern for consumers is ensuring a reliable source of energy at a reasonable price. What are some of the options?

According to Patrick Ketwaru, manager of Synergy Holdings, domestic enquiries about alternative power solutions have increased in recent months. Synergy Holdings of John street, Campbellville, offers a one-stop service for alternative power sources such as solar, wind and hydro systems for both domestic and commercial use.

Harnessing the sun

Ketwaru says solar energy is the most widely used form of alternative power in Guyana at the moment. Synergy has already installed capacity for a total of 2114 kilowatt-hours of solar power output per month from units countrywide. It recently supplied SIMAP with systems for St Cuthbert’s Mission and has supplied power for health centres in Waramurri, Wakapou and Bethany to allow for 24-hour use of the vaccine freezers.

The Guyana Water Inc has contracted Synergy to install solar panels at Mara and Paramakatoi for its water systems whilst the Primary Education Improvement Project had done so for a school at Orealla. A number of domestic systems have also been installed.

Ketwaru said the solar system is modular in that Synergy can offer any size to suit an individual’s or commercial enterprises’ needs. A number of basic sizes are offered which can be modulated to suit a person’s pocket.

Panel Sizes in Watts Prices Battery requirement

11watt-panel$24 900 105 amps $12 500 has a built-in

21 “ $32 500 “ “ charge

35 “ $43 700 “ “ controller

45 “ $55 100 “ “

70 “ $84 900 120 amps

80 “ $88 300 “

120 “ $132 200 “

Charge controllers are available in six and seven amps costing between $11,000 and $13,000 for use on the larger systems. Ketwaru estimates that if someone wanted to run a television set, and three energy saving lights for a period of four hours, then the required investment would be as follows:

A 19” TV consumes 85 watts and an energy-saving light 13 watts. To arrive at the watt hours needed to run the system would require multiplying the watts by the quantity of items (carrying that wattage) times the number of hours. Hence:

85x1x4 = 340 watt hours (TV)

13x4x4 = 208 watt hours (3 lights)

Total = 548 watt hours required to run the system for four hours. This is equivalent to the requirement of 0.548-kilowatt hours of power.

With a 25% loss of power in the wiring and battery (not allowing for the battery to run dead), and the average outflow from the sun of 5.5 hours of peak sunlight (.548/5.5 x1.25), this translates into a need for a 124-watt solar panel.

To run a system including a refrigerator for 24 hours would require an investment of about $500,000, Ketwaru estimates; a huge initial investment but there would be no need to change batteries or inverters for the first five years.

A consumer just requiring four energy saving lights for five hours (13x5x5) would require an 80-watt panel installed with battery.

Low-income consumers have the option of purchasing a solar powered double-tube lantern which comes with a three-watt panel for $11,900. This could provide up to five hours of lighting on one tube or three hours on both tubes.

Harnessing the wind

Synergy also has the ability to configure wind systems for commercial or individual needs. It currently stocks the Air 403 system with a generation capacity of 400 watts.

These 400 watts are achievable with a 28 mph wind speed, not obtainable in Guyana. The average wind speed in Guyana is between 12 and 15 miles per hour. With the 400-watt system, Ketwaru said that total output of instantaneous power was 150 watts. The wind turbine costs $188,300 and would require four 105 amp batteries and a 600-watt inverter costing about $60,000. It would also have to be mounted 60 feet in the air, which would demand the use of three lengths of pipe and heavy gauze wire.

Ketwaru said wind and solar could be integrated to provide the needs for households or commercial entities.

Hydro and biomass

Synergy also offers micro-hydroelectric generators, which are ideal for interior locations, but require a water drop of at least five feet. The company only stocks the 200 watt system which costs $200,000.

Ketwaru said the firm can also work with people to design biomass systems and has done so in the past but these ventures require a large initial investment.

The firm can design hybrid systems for companies with a combination of solar and wind to allow for a more efficient long-term use of resources and a more stable supply of electricity. Complete packages, including design and free installation are available.