Bustamante Children Hospital slash energy bill by $300,000

The purchase of the Turn-Key Grid-Tied System, at a cost of US$10,494, from proceeds of the Games by Guardsman Group Limited, was officially handed over to the hospital in July 2018.

According to David Arscott, senior manager of Future Energy Corporation, the company commissioned to install the system, the hospital is reaping monetary benefits.

“The 5kW system has an estimated production of 7,000 kwh annually. This will give an estimated annual savings of around $300,000.00 and is projected to provide a lifetime savings of JMD$28,759,495,” Arscott shared.

The system’s cost of generation is US$0.06 per kilowatt hour, 82 percent lower when compared to US$0.35 per kilowatt hour by the light and power company, Jamaica Public Service.

The system is also expected to provide green energy for the next 40 years, while paying back its investment value in five years.

Funding for the donation was made possible through part proceeds from  2017 Guardsman Games and the system is currently being used to aid in powering the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU).

Chief Executive Officer of the hospital Camille Panton shared that the system has proven its worth in its first year of operation.

“We are always adding new equipment, so if we were not getting that help from the solar energy system we would be faced with much higher electricity costs,” she said.

Panton explained that the system feeds into the hospital’s power grid and five percent more energy, while also controlling costs.

“Before the installations, we were seeing the electricity bill constantly rising, but while it now fluctuates it is predominantly lower,” Panton shared.

The hospital CEO also highlights that the solar energy system is state-of-the-art and has required no repairs in its first year of operations.

“The system is working well, and the company which the system was purchased from [Future Energy Corporation] has indicated that once we have any difficulties, they stand ready to facilitate us at any time,” she said.

The system can also be expanded to increase the energy produced by the solar panels.

While speaking to the role of corporate entities in assisting the Bustamante Children’s Hospital, Panton thanked the Guardsman Group Limited for their continued support, even hosting the Hospital’s staff Christmas retreat at the Hope Zoo, Kingston in December 2018.