Don’t know if this belongs here or not and even if anyone will find it interesting. Attached is part of an email I got from Chubb and after installation of a solar system there diesel consumption went down substantially. So it appears that solar in certain applications can be successful. I realize we don’t know the cost of the investment but the diesel savings is significant to say the least. Solar Success We are honored to have won the Solar + Storage Project of the Year for 2021 for our microgrid alongside Compass Power! The completion of the solar field has already greatly impacted Chub's sustainability. In April of 2021, we used 51,741 gallons of diesel to run our generators. This April, we used only 8,307 for an approximate savings of 43,434 gallons or 83% reduction in diesel usage. The proof is in the numbers and our future is looking brighter than ever! Pictured above is Compass Power's Justin Cunningham receiving the award for Solar + Storage Project of the Year.
Highborne has done that as well. Problem at both Chub and Highborne is that they haven’t upgraded their shore power on the dock so you are often stuck with running a generator anyway. last time at Highborne after an hour running back and forth dealing with tripping breakers I ended up on generator. Like most marinas in the bahamas they don’t want to face the reality that boats have gotten bigger. 10 years ago they would put four 50-60 footers that used 50amp on a 200’ dock, now they they squeeze two 110/120 footers both requiring twin 100s And then they say “we re a green marina running on solar, you can’t run your generator”
The metrics are far different in the Bahamas. We have at times looked at islands for sale there. With the cost of diesel delivery to them, solar has a good payback, far shorter than in the US. Almost all privately owned islands have extensive solar and/or windmill banks.
Do they still apply the steep import duties for solar equipment? Would really help push its implementation.