Barbados

This report is a deliverable of the “Global Solar Water Heating Market Transformation and Strengthening Initiative”, jointly funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)and the International Copper Association. In Latin America the commitment for SWH deployment has been supported by the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE).

Amr M. Abdel Hai, Programme Officer for the Energy Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (left), and Eduardo Noboa, Renewable Energy and Environment Coordinator from the Latin American Energy Organisation (OLADE), organised a two-day workshop with the aim to strengthen the solar water heating markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. A total of 46 solar thermal experts from several countries (Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, Nicaragua, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay) exchanged information, knowledge, lessons learned and successful experiences.
Photo: OLADE

This is a presentation made during the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) Regional Workshop of Solar Thermal Water Heating in Chile in June 2011. This presentation of Eduardo Noboa from OLADE, the Latin American Energy Organisation, passes in review the solar thermal market of different countries in South America: Brazil, Argentina, Barbados, Colombia, Nicaragua and Peru.

Pioneering solar water heater technology in California: William J. Bailey, a clever business man from California, started producing solar water heaters in his company Day and Night Solar Heater Co. exactly 100 years ago. The technology was based on Bailey´s own patent, which was approved on 2 August 1910.
Photo: A Golden Thread*

This presentation, brought by the Barbadian company Solar Dynamics Barbados, touches upon the success story of Barbados and solar water heating installations.

Two important factors explain this success: the government's recognition of the need and the benefits of going solar and the fast development of the industry at a time of rapidly rising electricity and energy costs.

The presentation goes through the evolution verified, the support schemes that were created together with other measures leading to such a remarkable success of solar thermal in Barbados.

Solar crop dryers are a cost effective solution to tackle problems related to food preservation in sunny climates.

In some communities, solar energy is often the only heat source which can be used to dry low cost agricultural products economically. However as natural gas prices are very cheap in Barbados, this solar application tends to lose its attractiveness for most operators.

One of 45,000 solar thermal installations on the island of Barbados was installed at the Oistins Police Station in 2008. Photo: Solar Dynamics

This analysis (from 2005 by Green Markets International) of carbon finance covers its impact on domestic solar water heating, and the market implications six countries (Barbados, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa).

More specifically it examines the contribution that SWH can make to carbon abatement in several developing countries that are eligible to participate in major carbon trading programs. It also explores how participation in carbon trading can boost SWH markets.

There are a number of mature markets like Israel, Austria, Barbados, China or Cyprus where solar thermal is used by a wide majority of people for heating the domestic hot water and sometimes for room heating.

This document (from 2004) explores the potential of carbon finance to boost markets for solar water heating (SWH) technology in developing countries. It also introduces many of the barriers that have traditionally prevented SWH from gaining a foothold in the residential and commercial energy sectors.