James Husbands looking at equipment at the Solar Dynamics manufacturing plant in Grazettes Industrial Estate last week.His company will soon roll out photovoltaic panels, an alternative energy device, to help consumers reduce high electricity bills in Barbados. (Picture by Risée Chaderton-Ames.)

by Stacey Russell

THE FAIR TRADING COMMISSION (FTC) should prepare to witness a landmark electricity move that could see citizens selling energy to Barbados Light & Power (BL&P).

Solar Dynamics, the pioneer of solar water-heater manufacturing in the Caribbean, will soon roll out photovoltaic panels, an alternative energy device, to help consumers reduce high electricity bills in this country.

"These [solar] cells convert sunlight to electricity, and that electricity can be used for anything; it can be stored in batteries or be fed into the [national electricity] grid and be used elsewhere," Solar Dynamics managing director James Husbands explained to BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY.

Meanwhile, BL&P chief marketing officer Stephen Worme revealed in a separate interview that the power company was already discussing a proposal to approach the FTC to buy this type of electricity and re-sell to consumers.

Worme pointed out that the lone power company had to resolve technical matters for effecting the system and the rates for billing customers who contributed photovoltaic energy to the grid and those who did not.

"Currently there is no rate for customers who want to sell and buy back power, and that would have to be addressed through the FTC."

Solar Dynamics plans to launch the new venture by August, said Husbands, and would import the panels, inverters, charge controllers and batteries needed to operate a photovoltaic system.