Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

A Bajan civil servant and entrepreneur is planning to turn the national capital Bridgetown into a 'solar city'.

William Hinds, responsible for renewable energy in the Barbados Energy Ministry, wants to encourage greater investment in solar and adoption of the technology with taxis and even police cars replaced by solar vehicles.

This in a country where solar use is already widespread with three manufacturers on the island and solar water heaters (SWH) installed in over 30,000 homes. Mr. Hinds' own company, Bridgetown Tours, uses solar powered shuttles to carry tourists around the island.

He is keen to highlight solar as not just a technolo-gical product.

"We can't talk about solar without talking about how it can be integrated into the lifestyle. For instance look at the cellular phone, which is about greater communication not just pure technology," he told The Gleaner while in Kingston recently as a member of the CARICOM task force developing a regional energy policy.

"We have to look at how you can improve living and not as a scientific wonder," added Mr. Hinds.

As part of his solar city concept, entertainment events powered by solar electricity would further boost acceptance of solar energy in Barbados.

"People believe that solar is an improvement of their households and that their house is worth more and therefore it's a kind of social status which has boosted the use of solar even in times when lower oil prices have stopped people worrying about energy costs," he explained.

- ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com