That was the message from James Woolsey, the former director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, as he spoke at Business Bermuda’s AGM yesterday.

He suggested solar power was the way to go, while ethanol and methanol were other good options.

Mr Woolsey said the cost of oil has become increasingly volatile and unpredictable.

Of the top ten oil exporter countries, he said nine were dictatorships or autocratic leaderships.

Furthermore, he said countries that control some 80 percent of the world’s oil, pump only about 35 percent of it, which he said amounted to a conspiracy to keep prices up.

“Oil is a strategic commodity,” he said.

He said Bermuda was much like Hawaii in that it’s almost 100 percent dependent on imported oil/fossil fuels for its energy needs. In the US, for example, it was estimated in 2005 that 40 percent of the nation’s energy came from oil, 23 percent from coal, and 23 percent from natural gas, while nuclear power supplied 8.4 percent and renewable energy supplied 7.3 percent.

According to the CIA factbook, Bermuda’s estimated electricity production was 675.6 million kWh in 2007, coming all from imported oil, totalling 4,804 barrels a day.

“It’s a huge burden on Hawaii and I imagine it’s a huge burden on Bermuda,” he said.

“What I think you should be looking very hard at here and in Hawaii is what’s happening in the solar industry.”

He said solar technology today is close to being able to give $1 per watt or 10 cents a kilowatt hour of electricity with sunshine and up to 30 cents from stored solar power, compared with 40-45 cents a kilowatt-hour for oil-generated power.

He also pointed out how Brazil, with its large sugarcane production, makes ethanol and 90 percent of its vehicles are now “flex-fuel”, meaning they can pull up a to fuel station and select either regular gas or ethanol to fill up. He said only minor changes to a vehicle and its software could make it flex-fuel able.

Hawaii, which was 90 percent dependent on imported fossil fuels for its energy needs, has come up with the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, to put the islands on a path towards as much as 70 percent clean energy (a 30 percent reduction through energy efficiency and 40 percent of electricity sales from renewable sources) by 2030.

In Bermuda solar panels have been catching on with residents and businesses.

Gosling’s is installing the largest commercial solar panel system in Bermuda to date.

Bermuda’s Alternative Energy Systems (AES) will put in a 570-panel photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system on the roof of the main warehouse. Goslings said the 136-kilowatt system would produce more than 17,000 kilowatt hours or more than $6,500 worth of electricity per month based on today’s cost of electricity.

Lindo’s was AES’s first commercial installation, which saw the completion of a 300-solar panel system in May 2011. The system produces approximately 11,340 kilowatts of energy per month, enough to handle between 40 and 60 percent of Lindo’s load requirements at any given time.

Government has said 51 applications were made for solar developments in 2011, more than four-times more than were submitted in 2009.

In addition, Belco’s Interconnection Policy, allows members of the public to put excess energy from solar power back into the electrical grid, and be paid for it.

A Belco spokeswoman said that there are currently 43 customers taking part in the scheme, an increase of 23 in the last year.

Government has offered incentives to encourage the adoption of small-scale renewable energy systems, including a solar panel rebate scheme and zero-rate import duty on items for use in harvesting power from renewable sources.

The CIA factbook said Bermuda’s estimated electricity production was 675.6 million kWh in 2007, all from imported oil, totalling 4,804 barrels a day.

The second phase of installation will consist of an additional 86 kilowatts of capacity that combined with the 16 kilowatts from the first phase to equal 102 kilowatts.

Gorham’s general manager Andrew Mackay said: “We completed the pilot phase of installation in September and we have been really happy with it.

“We’ve already seen some savings in electricity cost and now that BELCO is seeking to raise commercial electricity rates on average by five percent per year for the next three years, we decided to move ahead with phase two.”

With 102 kilowatts of capacity, Gorham’s photovoltaic system will generate more than 13,000 kilowatt hours of energy per month. At today’s energy rates, that is over $5,000 of electricity per month, or $60,000 per year, which means the system will pay for itself in seven years.

Environmentally this will save 2.8 million tons of carbon dioxide or CO2 emissions from entering Bermuda’s atmosphere. It’s the emission of CO2 that is a major contributor to global warming.

Tim Madeiros, AES CEO and founder says: “I am so pleased to be moving forward on the second phase of Gorham’s installation. I commend Gorham’s for taking control of their energy costs and owning their own power, and I hope they will inspire other companies to do the same, especially as electricity costs continue to rise.”

Gorham’s will continue to build upon the system until it reaches a total capacity of 160 kilowatts. Upon completion, the 160 kilowatt system will save Gorham’s approximately $105,000 a year on electricity bills based on the current cost of electricity. In addition, over the 25-year warranty period, the photovoltaic system will save almost 4.5 million pounds of CO2 emissions.

Named in 2011 by Bermudian Business as the “One to Watch” for innovation and forward thinking in the solar energy market, AES manages all aspects of a photovoltaic project in-house to ensure a cost-effective and seamless solution for its clients. In addition to Mr. Madeiros, the AES team is comprised of Project Manager Earl Wescom and Technician Armindo Ferreira.

For more information, visit AES online at www.aes.bm

Local company Alternative Energy Systems (AES) has been awarded the contract to engineer, design, supply and install a 570-panel photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system to generate electricity at its head office in Hamilton. The panels will be installed on the roof of the main warehouse, which will offset energy consumption produced by a bottling plant, retail space, executive offices and refrigerated storage located on the property.

The 136-kilowatt system, says Gosling’s, will produce more than 17,000 kilowatt hours or more than $6,500 worth of electricity per month based on today’s cost of electricity.

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Drafting of the long-anticipated policy document began with the creation of the Department of Energy in April 2008.

Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Walter Roban warned that implementing its policies “will be extremely demanding, and will require nothing short of a national energy transition”.

The White Paper, he added, is “an excellent example to other small-island jurisdictions”, and the first of its kind among the British dependent territories.

“We are pretty much ahead of the game,” he said.

In an announcement attended by the Energy Department’s team, Mr Roban added: “It is noteworthy that this paper was produced in-house, without the use of foreign consultants, by a completely local staff.”

At its core, the document is to guide the Island into a more sustainable energy policy.

The Minister said it outlines the path to “an alternate future not bound by fossil fuels, but one where we conserve energy, use energy more efficiently, and harness indigenous renewable energy resources”.

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For Butterfield mortgage customers, the loan will be added to the mortgage payment and amortised out with their current mortgage, up to a maximum of 25 years. The rate of the loan will match the rate of the mortgage. For non-Butterfield mortgage and commercial customers, a loan can be arranged through the bank’s lending department. The average cost for a five-kilowatt solar energy system will be approximately $40,000.

Customers interested in taking out a loan for a PV solar energy system can contact Tim Madeiros, CEO of AES, to schedule a site assessment. Following the site assessment, AES will develop a proposal with complete financial and engineering analysis, including the government rebate of up to $5,000, and submit it to the client, along with a Butterfield solar panel financing application. The customer then submits the completed application to the bank for review. Following the bank’s approval of the loan, AES will move forward with the project and the funds will be released to AES.

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The company saw a 38 percent growth in the first quarter of 2011 over the same period over last year, indicating that alternative energy is gaining popularity on the Island.

Tim Madeiros, founder and CEO of AES, put the growth down to in part his company’s innovative approach to finding solar energy solutions to meet the customer’s needs.

“I am thrilled that Bermudians are embracing solar technology,” he said. “I believe AES’ continued success is driven by the expertise, customer service and quality products that we deliver.”

As a pioneer in the industry, AES has achieved many “firsts” in solar technology in Bermuda. Just last month, the company completed the first commercial installation of a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system for Lindo’s Market in Devonshire.

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The Minister visited the Devonshire store where he is pictured with Alternative Energy Systems Bermuda Limited (AES) CEO Tim Madeiros who installed the panels.

“It’s extremely gratifying to bring solar energy to Bermuda’s commercial market,” said AES founder and CEO, Tim Madeiros. “I commend Lindo’s Group of Companies for continuing to be an environmental leader in our community and I am grateful to the Bermuda Government for their support in raising awareness of solar energy in Bermuda.”

In one year, Lindo’s solar energy system will produce more than 136,000 kilowatts of power, which equals a 211,000-pound reduction in dangerous CO2 emissions. This reduction in CO2 is equivalent to planting 2,300 trees or not driving 209,000 miles in a standard car.

As with most buildings in Bermuda, it was important for Lindo’s to have easy access to their roof surface once the 300 solar panels were installed. Thus, AES designed the solar array so they can tilt up, in separate four-panel sections, without interrupting the supply of solar power. The panels in the forward tilt position allow uninhibited access to the roof for easy inspection and painting. This is an exclusive feature provided by AES.

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This 300 solar panel system will produce approximately 11,340 kilowatts of energy per month, enough to handle between 40 and 60 percent of Lindo’s load requirements at any given time.

“It’s extremely gratifying to bring solar energy to Bermuda’s commercial market,” said AES founder and CEO, Tim Madeiros. “I commend Lindo’s Group of Companies for continuing to be an environmental leader in our community and I am grateful to the Bermuda Government for their support in raising awareness of solar energy in Bermuda.”

In one year, Lindo’s solar energy system will produce more than 136,000 kilowatts of power, which equals a 211,000-pound reduction in dangerous CO2 emissions. This reduction in CO2 is equivalent to planting 2,300 trees or not driving 209,000 miles in a standard car.

The solar panels have been designed to tilt up in four-panel sections to allow the roof to be cleaned or painted and without interrupting the energy supply – an exclusive feature provided by AES.

“We worked diligently with our solar panel vendor, SunPower, to provide a customised solution for this project,” said Mr Madeiros, “We chose SunPower panels because of their patented technology that provides up to 50 per cent more power than conventional panels, thus maximising energy output.”

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When Stewart Minors and his wife, Minister of Business Development and Tourism Patrice K. Minors, decided to renovate their home, it presented the perfect opportunity to integrate some of the newest green technologies.

Since the renovation included adding a second storey to the house, a new roof would have to be constructed, making it a convenient time to incorporate solar energy into the home.

In the early planning stages, my company, Alternative Energy Systems, was enlisted to design, engineer and implement a renewable energy system with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on the roof.

We enthusiastically took on the job and set about drafting new ideas for adapting solar panels to Bermuda’s unique architecture. The end result: AES has completed Bermuda’s first-ever installation in which the solar panels are actually built into the roof structure.

Traditionally, solar panels are installed to sit a few inches above and parallel to the roof surface to catch the sun’s rays.

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