Amid heat wave, Pringle says a serious administration would have installed batteries on solar farms

Had the Gaston Browne Administration been serious about climate
change, it would have sought to install batteries on the solar farms
across the island, says Jamale Pringle, political leader of the United
Progressive Party (UPP).

More than a year ago, it was confirmed that the solar farms – one of
which is located on the compound of the V.C. Bird International
Airport – had been set up without the batteries – required for
energy storage – being put in place.

With the current high and humid temperatures, Pringle notes,
residents have increased their use of electric fans, while other
households are installing air-conditioning (a/c) units to beat the
heat.

This, he says, is going to end up being very costly to consumers, as
the increased use of these electronics will be reflected on their
utility bills.

However, he says, the Administration does not seem to be interested
in installing batteries in the panels on the solar farms.
Pringle adds that many schools are complaining about the high
temperatures. And if the Browne Administration had been forward
thinking, he says, it would already have moved these institutions
from fossil fuel to solar power and installed a/c units to combat the
heat.

He points out that solar power would also lower the country’s
carbon emissions, unlike the use of fossil-fuelled electricity.

Jamaica reportedly has undertaken an initiative similar to what
Pringle is suggesting – in about 30 pilot schools.

Meanwhile, Pringle is chastising the Ministry of Education and
Minister Daryl Matthew for the condition of many schools at the
opening of the school year on September 4.

He says the Ministry failed to carry out any maintenance on the
schools over the summer vacation, as students returned to many
compounds filled with tall grass.