An interesting article about how Sao Paulo is looking to follow Barcelona's example:
Something for the DR to consider? And no, they are not talking about tinacos. :classic: Something a bit more sophisticated than that...
Some useful snips from the article, quoted as fair-use:
Given the DR's ties to Spain, and good relations with the authorities in Barcelona in recent years, it seems to me maybe Dominican authorities should talk to Barcelona's about their program and the lessons it holds...
While Dominican interest rates are not nearly so high, they are high enough to be a possible impediment. So I'm guessing this would apply to the DR as well...
Hmmm, Leonel was talking about the need to reduce demand. Maybe this is one route to consider -- maybe at least for resorts, hospitals, condo buildings of a certain size, etc.?
Hot Water from Sunshine
Mario Osava
RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 1 (IPS) - Turning sunshine into electricity is still too costly for it to become widespread, but using it to heat water is a viable option that is expanding in many countries, and could make great strides in Brazil.
Something for the DR to consider? And no, they are not talking about tinacos. :classic: Something a bit more sophisticated than that...
Some useful snips from the article, quoted as fair-use:
In Barcelona, the plan led to a ten-fold increase in the number of solar water heaters within three years
Given the DR's ties to Spain, and good relations with the authorities in Barcelona in recent years, it seems to me maybe Dominican authorities should talk to Barcelona's about their program and the lessons it holds...
It is important to set up alternatives of this kind, because the greatest obstacle to more widespread use of solar heaters is the relatively high cost of the equipment, which requires an investment of about 600 dollars for a family of four, for example, while an electric water heater costs just over 100 dollars.
Opening up ways of financing the purchase is therefore a decisive factor in encouraging widespread use of the system, especially in Brazil, where interest rates on bank loans are extremely high - often over 100 percent annually in real terms, that is, disregarding inflation.
While Dominican interest rates are not nearly so high, they are high enough to be a possible impediment. So I'm guessing this would apply to the DR as well...
...this consumption is concentrated between the hours of 6:00 and 9:00 PM local time. At this peak time, the share of total consumption is 18 percent.
Because of this, even electricity distribution companies wish to expand the use of solar water heaters. They lose out on energy sales, but they save much more by reducing peak demand, which causes immense waste.
Hmmm, Leonel was talking about the need to reduce demand. Maybe this is one route to consider -- maybe at least for resorts, hospitals, condo buildings of a certain size, etc.?
Rodrigues and other environmentalists propose that this alternative energy use be included in the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol, as eligible for certificates of reduction in emission of greenhouse gases. These could generate income as an added stimulus to adopting solar water heaters.