A solar-powered Jacuzzi, one of several features of the Schenk's energy-efficient home.
Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
AS COUNTLESS Jamaicans battle to manage their electricity bill, retired Swiss chef Hans Schenk is well ahead of the game. He is the proud owner of what is perhaps the largest solar-run home in Jamaica.
His 5,000 square feet Spring Farm home in St. James is 95 per cent solar run.
"Presently, I have about 75 lights, a cooler, a freezer, a pool and a jacuzzi that are all on the solar system," he said. "The whole house is solar except a few appliances, which are on 220 volts. The electricity is supplied by Jamaica Public Service for those on 220."
Having lived in Jamaica for the past 23 years, Mr. Schenk installed the solar system almost 10 years ago when he retired from his job as head chef at the Half Moon Sugar Mill restaurant, in Montego Bay.
Solar from the beginning
"When I designed the house, I decided that I wanted to go solar because electricity was always expensive in Jamaica," Mr. Schenk said, noting that it was a bit difficult at first because at the time, solar installations were not as popular in Jamaica.
"Nobody did anything locally so I went to Miami and enquired about some people who are in the solar business and have installed solar systems for private houses," he continued. "I settled on one man who was able to do the entire house for anything up to 120 volts."
Now, several electricity rate increases later, Mr. Schenk is pleased that he made the right decision at the right time.
Big investment
"The investment was not cheap. Then, it cost in the neighbourhood of between US$80,000 and US$100,000 (J$4.96M- J$6.2M), but in about three and a half years I got my money back," he said. "It is clean energy. You do not have any fluctuations. It is easy to maintain. You just have to put distilled water in the batteries every two months or so."
"I know I am saving a lot of money when I see what my neighbour is paying for electricity against what I am paying," Mr. Schenk continued. "With the present circumstances, I think I saved myself within the neighbourhood of $400,000 a year."
Mr. Schenk has two inverters, six batteries with a 15-year life span and 66 solar panels - 64 on the ground and two on the roof.
