Used solar panels are for sale on Ebay, from both US and Canadian sellers. Remember that buying from a Canadain site or seller saves you money, because of the current value of the CDN dollar, compared to the US or Bahamian dollar. The current value is about....One US dollar equals $1.35 CDN, so a 35 percent savings on your purchase, if you buy here in Canada.

In addition, the tchnology has greatly improved here, and we export lots of solar materials to other nations.

One method of electrical energy production that I didn't mention above, is the use of a wind generator, that produces 12 volts for re-charging deep cycle batteries. The system uses a 12 volt alternator from a Chevy truck, and it is mounted on a tower, and sits on a platform that can rotate to follow the wind direction. The alternator is spun by a small aircraft prop, one that cannot be re-built for aircraft use, but does a good job in this application. Wind speeds as low as 10 mph will give a partial charge, and at 20 mph the rig puts out 14 to 18 volts. The tower needs to be above tree height, and 30 feet seems to be the best height.

The plans are available on the internet......do a GOOGLE search for "12 volt alternator wind generator,plans. "

Can you see the application for the family islands?

Jim Bunting. Toronto.

Can you see the application for the family islands?

Definitely.

Thanks for the info Rory and Jim. I'll be soldering and assembling in a short while.

solar would be good..
but who would fund it?
why should the gasoline industry influenced governments initiate a program?
where are you going to put it?
and how available will it be to the bahamian public?

well....
to answer question one, it isnt that expensive to start up, all we need is persons willing to bring the dream into play. solar pannells and cells, are more inexpensive than actual oil, and not to mention gasoline engines and compressors.

the gasoline industry would not jump and support soalr for obvious reasons, becasue it would cut into their sales and proffits...DRAMATICALLY!!
sir orville turnquest is a major shareholder in freeport oil, and bradley roberts is another major share holder in freeport oil. and the plp govt has been staunch supporters of shell oil for years now...but a privately owned company, with international backing should be able to strong arm any bahamian govt...for a worthy cause.

we should look into not just turning andros or exuma into solar cell feilds, but turning eastern ilslands into windmill feilds...the trade winds flow directly into eluthera and cat island...AND THEY CARRY ENOUGH ENERGY TO POWER THE BAHAMAS IN ONE WEEK, FOR MORE THAN HALF A YEAR!

making it available to the bahamian public is tricky, because you would be asking families to spend money, to convert to solar and any other power system, but the innitiative and incentive must come form the company or companies offering the service..like an incentive package with installment, or and extensive savings package to allow base consumers to make up their own minds.
it must be aggressive and bold and truthfull!!!

oh..and another thing, i think it is illegal to run electricity or power of any sort with out the bahamas electricity coorporations consent, or extreme circumstances...
so the government must be active in this venture....
but will they?
or will they have to be forced?
:sarcastic

oh..and another thing, i think it is illegal to run electricity or power of any sort with out the bahamas electricity coorporations consent, or extreme circumstances.....

I had called B.E.C. a few months ago to inquire about the requirements for obtaining a solar permit and the manager that I spoke to said that no permit was necessary. Before I bring in my solar panels though, I'm going to double check. I want to get that statement in writing to be absolutely sure.

I had called B.E.C. a few months ago to inquire about the requirements for obtaining a solar permit and the manager that I spoke to said that no permit was necessary. Before I bring in my solar panels though, I'm going to double check. I want to get that statement in writing to be absolutely sure.

you had better yorrick.....
flip flopping is a national pastime!! :realmad:

but i do know this...if you happen to run an electric generator to your house, while the bahamas electricity coorporation has service to your house and it is un-interupted, it is illegal, and they have a right to disrupt your service, and seek legal action.

If we go solar and buy less electricity BEC will make less money, everything else being equal. The result? BEC will not be able to give annual salary increases while trying to service evry corner of the Bahamas. The reult? They may stop hiring staff and perhaps lay off some folk, including some of the people who help the government make policy in these areas. Why would they want to shaft themselves?

If we go solar and buy less electricity BEC will make less money, everything else being equal. The result? BEC will not be able to give annual salary increases while trying to service evry corner of the Bahamas. The reult? They may stop hiring staff and perhaps lay off some folk, including some of the people who help the government make policy in these areas. Why would they want to shaft themselves?

Good point. But is BEC a for profit making company or a public service? I believe that they think they are a profit making company. But they are not. They provide a public service. It is their duty to see to it that they provide electricity as cheaply and as reliably as possible. Also, if they could produce power by other means they could still charge for it and less money would be leaving the nation to buy oil.

Should we, the public, decide to produce our own "power" such as in the case of a Solar Water Heater, BEC should give us their blessings! It takes the strain of their generators that can hardly keep up with demand in the Summer anyhow.

and the truth is with that too..
IS BEC MAKING A PROFFIT AT ALL!!

at least so they tell us, that they arent making any money!!
so what they could do, is bec can get out in front of the innitiative, and work as a energy provisions company..isntead of just electricity!
:sarcastic

I think we are missing a really BIG point here. The idea is not so much for the individual homes to get alternative energy but for BEC to use alternative energy.

If BEC got some WIND Turbines or SOLAR energy systems that cost in the millions (Shell - the OIL company has a solar section and recently electrified a province in China with 300,000 homes using Solar) then they would be using the alternative energy means to generate electricity that they will then sell to us.

My argument is that if BEC could move 10% of its generation to alternative energy sources then we (the nation) could save that 10% in oil imports - and at the current rate that oil is selling for that would be quite a bit of money. We would also be more insulated from oil price increases.

The time when we have the most power cuts is during the summer. The time when we have the longest days is during the summer. The time that we should really be running Solar is DURING THE SUMMER

I think we are missing a really BIG point here. The idea is not so much for the individual homes to get alternative energy but for BEC to use alternative energy.

If BEC got some WIND Turbines or SOLAR energy systems that cost in the millions (Shell - the OIL company has a solar section and recently electrified a province in China with 300,000 homes using Solar) then they would be using the alternative energy means to generate electricity that they will then sell to us.

My argument is that if BEC could move 10% of its generation to alternative energy sources then we (the nation) could save that 10% in oil imports - and at the current rate that oil is selling for that would be quite a bit of money. We would also be more insulated from oil price increases.

The time when we have the most power cuts is during the summer. The time when we have the longest days is during the summer. The time that we should really be running Solar is DURING THE SUMMER

Yes, you are right! :cheers:

I think we are missing a really BIG point here. The idea is not so much for the individual homes to get alternative energy but for BEC to use alternative energy.

If BEC got some WIND Turbines or SOLAR energy systems that cost in the millions (Shell - the OIL company has a solar section and recently electrified a province in China with 300,000 homes using Solar) then they would be using the alternative energy means to generate electricity that they will then sell to us.

My argument is that if BEC could move 10% of its generation to alternative energy sources then we (the nation) could save that 10% in oil imports - and at the current rate that oil is selling for that would be quite a bit of money. We would also be more insulated from oil price increases.

The time when we have the most power cuts is during the summer. The time when we have the longest days is during the summer. The time that we should really be running Solar is DURING THE SUMMER

:cheers:
excellent..but too much moolah in the oil bussiness!
and we have the geography time infastructure and money to invest in it..at least at a small time rate!

On a nice bright and shinny day in the Bahamas the electricity in my area is disrupted for no apparent reason, very often.

BEC has trouble maintaining electric turbine generators imagine technology more sophisticated?

I think hybrid is the way to go for now (electricity/solar) like the hybrid powered water heaters which are getting very popular now and according to BEC water heaters account for a large portion of their consumers bills.

I think we are missing a really BIG point here. The idea is not so much for the individual homes to get alternative energy but for BEC to use alternative energy.

If BEC got some WIND Turbines or SOLAR energy systems that cost in the millions (Shell - the OIL company has a solar section and recently electrified a province in China with 300,000 homes using Solar) then they would be using the alternative energy means to generate electricity that they will then sell to us.

My argument is that if BEC could move 10% of its generation to alternative energy sources then we (the nation) could save that 10% in oil imports - and at the current rate that oil is selling for that would be quite a bit of money. We would also be more insulated from oil price increases.

The time when we have the most power cuts is during the summer. The time when we have the longest days is during the summer. The time that we should really be running Solar is DURING THE SUMMER
The Problem With This Is That This Country Does Not Save Any Money,So We Would Have To Borrow Money From The IMF Or IDB.HMmmm! Do You Think That Will Fly?

On a nice bright and shinny day in the Bahamas the electricity in my area is disrupted for no apparent reason, very often.

BEC has trouble maintaining electric turbine generators imagine technology more sophisticated?

I think hybrid is the way to go for now (electricity/solar) like the hybrid powered water heaters which are getting very popular now and according to BEC water heaters account for a large portion of their consumers bills.

You must live close to me! Mine when out too!

I have a solar water heater. It does save on my bill and it works when the power is off!

The Problem With This Is That This Country Does Not Save Any Money,So We Would Have To Borrow Money From The IMF Or IDB.HMmmm! Do You Think That Will Fly?


wonder if the chinese have any more money...
"on the phone"
*hello..chinese ambassador*