Barriers
Photo credit: Lyn Topinka
With the drivers of high electricity costs and abundant sunshine, one might expect that Barbados would be generating more electricity from the sun, so why isn’t there more solar PV in Barbados? There are some known barriers to the uptake of solar by consumers and businesses which are common worldwide. These include:
- Upfront Capital Cost
- Knowledge of technology
- Understanding of technology
- Roofing concerns
- Home Ownership
Upfront Capital Cost
The number one barrier to the deployment of solar PV in Barbados is the upfront capital cost. For homeowners and companies, finding the necessary capital to have solar panels installed on their home or business can be a daunting task. They may either be unable or unwilling to invest such a large amount of money in a single transaction. However, similar to purchasing a car, there are other alternatives to an outright purchase with cash. These include equipment leasing or obtaining a loan. As financing institutions, banks and credit unions become more familiar with the technology, financing will become less of a barrier.
Knowledge of technology
A customer cannot buy what they do not know about.
Although the first modern solar cell was created 60 years ago in 1954, solar power has only entered into the spotlight in the last decade. It is certainly not a new technology but in the same way it took time for cell phones to be marketed to the public, it is taking time to raise the public awareness of solar PV. With the spread of information via media and by word of mouth, Barbadians will gain more knowledge of solar power.
Understanding of technology
A customer will not buy what they do not understand.
Once a customer is aware of solar power technology they still need to understand it. A customer may know that the solar PV panels on rooftops are different from solar hot water collectors and that they generate electricity, but may not fully understand it. Having a clear understanding of what solar PV can power and what it cannot is important. For example, a single solar panel will not power an entire house. Once the technology is understood, proper expectations can be set and another barrier would be removed.
Roofing concerns
To a lesser extent there can be a concern of leaks being created if a system is installed. With the number of solar hot water installations in Barbados, most homes have such a system and leaks are not a major cause for concern. With the increase of solar installations that are expected over the years, installers will gain more experience and skill in handling roofs with care.
Home Ownership
Finally, some of those who would like to install a system cannot do so because they are renting and therefore do not own the rooftop. The owner of the property would have to provide consent to have a system installed. Furthermore, it would not be practical for a renter to install such a high priced system then remove it after their tenancy is finished. It is equally unlikely that the renter would pay for a system, achieve a few years of energy savings, and then leave it on the rooftop with no compensation to recoup the investment. With innovative ownership methods and a change in billing, there could be options developed to allow renters to purchase a part of a solar PV system elsewhere and have their bill reduced where they reside.
What is your barrier to installing solar panels on your home or business? You can give your feedback via the poll above.