Solar engineering company RESSCOTT Limited is urging commercial and private entities to join the renewables revolution and transition to solar power.
Speaking with Loop News, Managing Director Graeme Jones said with current global and national developments as well as the country’s drive to fulfil its energy mandates under the Paris Agreement, the time is now.
Jones said the company, which is ISO certified, prides itself on designing a range of solar photovoltaic design solutions for all sectors with maximum efficiency.
“Both myself and Operations Director Shamir Khan originated from the oil and gas sector so we know what the requirements are, the scopes and so on…we specialise in design installation and commissioning for solar energy, and this extends to the petrochemical, industrial, commercial and residential sectors.
“What we coin is a ‘zero system failure operation’ and this is important in order to maintain the confidence of clients within the oil and gas, manufacturing and other sectors, and to encourage the implementation. It's important at the company level to adhere to certain codes to ensure the systems work efficiently.”
Additionally, the company provides solar water heating for pools for the tourism and residential industries as well as commercial lighting for sites such as oil rigs, factories, businesses and more.
“Solar energy can be applied to a broad range of things and our team of capable engineers allows us to do this and create opportunities for greater decarbonisation in the country.”
The company also received a commendation from Joel Pemberton, Chairman of Resverba Holdings, Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of DeNovo Energy and former Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Exploration and Production Plc.
Pemberton said he was impressed by the company’s entrepreneurial spirit and called for wider use of solar energy.
Pemberton said: “The future is bright when we think of what’s possible and I see RESSCOTT at the forefront and making this a reality, for the benefit of our climate, our economy and the young entrepreneurs who are waiting to execute their brilliant ideas for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
Saving money with solar
Jones said the company also provides car park lighting and construction via turnkey projects where companies have saved tremendously.
“Where solar car park construction and lighting is concerned, you could literally save millions of dollars over the lifetime of the system and via the use of the lighting. We have had at least 10 clients that have saved that much money.”
“It’s the way forward, whether it’s existing or new car parks being constructed. The designs we have for lighting as well are unique, and we also offer more cost-effectiveness, less civil works and better lighting altogether.”
Overall, Jones said businesses in the private sector are already tapping into the ‘solar wave’.
“Businesses are keen, they’re responding to the methodologies we’ve put forward for the commercial sector which ensure, typically, a six-year return on investment, depending on the particulars of each operation, and a net-zero expense for 30 plus years, with an equipment guarantee of 10 years.”
“For clients, it makes sense, and these designs are able to prevent a loss of power which could compromise investments, production and even health or human lives, as with the case of hospitals.”
Community projects
Jones said additionally they have also committed to several community-centred solar projects, having completed a three kilowatt solar charitable installation in 2019 and several six kilowatt solar charity installations in 2020, a 12 kilowatt community project in 2021 and plans for nine solar real estate and community projects amounting to 24 kilowatts in 2022.
“The impact in terms of decarbonisation and carbon reduction from these projects is huge. We’re doing one right now and we have nine more to do by the end of the third quarter this year.”
Jones said they’re committed to their pledge of a 100 per cent increase, year on year, of solar charitable projects.
Moving forward - active energy grids?
Jones said he hopes to see more widespread use of solar energy which could assist in reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.
“What we’d like to see for both the public and private sectors are incentives, which could be in the form of tax credits or feed-in tariffs, active grid networks where clients who produce excess power could sell that to the grid, reducing the electricity company’s reliance on natural gas. Clients in turn could have a net-zero bill as they’re producing more energy than they consume.”
For the private sector, Jones said perhaps companies might be able to obtain Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) or Green Certificates (GCs).
“It creates a kind of mini-economy whereby people operating within these sectors will be given these certificates and allowed to trade them to lower renewable energy-producing companies and then they get an incentive, usually in the form of cash. This could encourage more companies to install solar systems.”
Jones said he’s aware that there are setbacks but he’s encouraged by developments being made toward renewable energy under both the current and previous governments, most recently with the construction of two solar parks in collaboration with Lightsource BP.
"I'm encouraged by the government's plans for two solar parks, thats really exciting as it will be a first for T&T as we create more energy resilience and push toward our goals where, inter alia, the Paris Agreement is concerned."
Jones said the benefits of solar energy and decarbonisation are undeniable.
“The conclusion is that solar power is the way forward, and because of our engineering and marketing strategies we are getting that engagement from clients."
“Once a small push is given to these sectors in the form of incentives, it’s possible that in the future we can see every home in Trinidad and Tobago using solar power.”
According to the US Department of Energy, solar energy could supply up to 45 per cent of the USA’s energy requirements by 2050 and employ up to 1.5 million people by 2035.
“Ninety-five percent decarbonization of the electric grid is achieved in 2035 without increasing electricity prices because decarbonization and electrification costs are fully offset by savings from technological improvements and enhanced demand flexibility.”
“Cumulative power system costs from 2020 to 2050 are $562 billion (25 per cent) higher, which includes the costs of serving electrified loads previously powered through direct fuel combustion. However, avoided climate damages and improved air quality more than offset those additional costs, resulting in net savings of $1.7 trillion.”
Clients interested in finding out more information on solar systems can call RESSCOTT Ltd at 370-7087, 366-2471, 378-0588, 688-9950, or visit www.resscott.comor the company’s showroom on Cipero Street in San Fernando.
