Minister Visits Pompano’s Solar Panel Installation
Yesterday [Feb 22], Minister of Home Affairs and Deputy Premier Walter Roban visited the solar panel facility at Pompano Beach Hotel in Southampton.
“The solar installation, built 100′ above sea level on the hotel’s old dump, is protected from the threat of ocean surges and holds 800 panels at about 390 watts of installed capacity per panel,” a spokesperson said.
“Each panel uses a Smart control system with real-time feedback and the ability to monitor each panel individually for performance data.
“The Minister was joined by Larry Lamb, General Manager of the Pompano Beach Club, Patrick Caton, Principal Power Engineer, IMG Bermuda Ltd., and Nalton Brangman, Project Manager, IMG Bermuda Ltd.
“The facility has been constructed by a full Bermudian team, and also served as a training ground for Bermudian electricians and apprentices in solar panel installation.”
Minister Roban stated, “I am pleased to see the results of hard work by the Bermudian team. The Covid pandemic has impacted our work and training opportunities all around, but I am proud to know that this team of Bermudian workers pulled together to complete this impressive solar installation.”
A spokesperson said, “Pompano owner, Larry Lamb, expressed that overall he was very positive about how solar hits a triple bottom line of benefits. Today’s tourists want to stay in ‘greener’ accommodations, and this development offers a significant contribution to improving Bermuda’s energy usage:
- It reduces both demand charges and kWh use
- It gives a greener footprint to the hotel
- It’s ‘the right thing to do- good for Pompano’s budgets, does its part to reduce the amount Bermuda spends on foreign oil, and does its part for reducing emissions.
Minister Roban commented, “The development of the solar installation at Pompano is evidence of Bermuda’s commitment to finding innovative solutions to the energy challenges we face today.
“This Government will continue to support initiatives that take a modern approach toward creating renewable, clean, sustainable energy, while at the same time, providing opportunities for Bermudians.”
Great to see another Solar project being introduced. Unfortunately instead of visiting sites, the minister needs to spend some plan doing his job and fixing what is wrong with the planning department.
With so many people working in that department and so many press releases over the years about the new and improved and streamline processes it is DISGUSTING how long it takes to approve a set of plans.
Most plans for a home are approximately 8-10 pages long with a few pages showing the design and landscaping with another 6-8 pages detailing the plumbing, electrical, and engineering. How is it that it takes a team of professionals a year or more to “approve a set of plans”. I am not referring to plans where there are boundary disputes, community objections etc… How is it that it takes a year or more for this huge team of “professionals” to look at 10 pages of drawings and confirm that that they conform to local law on building codes!!!!!!!!!!! There is no EXCUSE! It is absolutely an example of incompetence, to much red tape and a few power hungry and uncaring civil servants!
IT SOULD NOT TAKE PLANNING 1 YEAR TO APPOVE A SET OF PLANS THAT TOOK AN ARCHITECT 2 WEEKS TO DRAW AND A CONTRACTOR 6 MONTHS TO BUILD!!!!!
I understand from one supplier that most solar projects are taking 9 or more months to get approval. That is disgusting considering this is not new technology and there is little to know actual construction being done.
Minister I respectfully suggest that you get back to your office, make some staff accountable, approve some applications so that contractors can get some work and so can I!
I AGREE 100%. It took me 2 years! yes, 2 years to get planning approval!! just to get 15 solar panels installed on my roof.
The Development Applications Board even went so far to ask me to submit a letter *JUSTIFYING WHY I WANTED TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS*. Are you kidding me? Our house is on fire!
My responses to the DAB in the letter were as follows:
1. I feel that installing solar panels will offset the carbon output of running a swimming pool and a/c;
2. I feel we are facing an existential threat to human civilization and the need to offset her carbon footprint;
3. I feel sea levels are rapidly rising and is afraid her home will soon be under water and worth nothing;
4. I feel an obligation to, at a minimum, save the planet if the human race can’t be saved;
5. I have the long-term objective to come completely off the grid by adding adequate battery storage in the future.
Minister Roban, PLEASE set a goal for all solar planning applications to be approved within one month! Yes, ONE MONTH!!!
The problem is that some civil servants are the laziest bunch you’ve ever seen.
They referred to last year’s lockdown as their ‘holiday’. While they were being paid full salaries to sit at home at do nothing. Because in their minds it was a ‘holiday’.
The all Bermudian team makes one question why the PLP selected a Canadian company to do the similar installation at the airport. Clearly we have the experience and expertise.
Curious – how will they hold up in a hurricane?