The world's largest hybrid renewable energy project to date was recently commissioned on the rooftop of the Myers, Fletcher, & Gordon (MFG) law firm in Kingston, Jamaica. Developed by WindStream Technologies, the landmark urban installation consists of 50 WindStream SolarMill units to harness available wind and solar resources.
The SolarMill is a new distributed energy technology consisting of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT), solar panels and proprietary "smart" electronics. The energy generated by each SolarMill can either be used off grid with a storage system or inverted for use in grid-tied applications. Occupying the roof space, about the size of a solar panel, each SolarMill provides the highest energy density currently available in the renewable market.
The installation is said to generate over 106,000 kWh of renewable energy annually, (25 kW of wind and 55 kW of solar) with a return on investment (ROI) of less than four years. Over the course of the projected 25-year life span, the energy cost savings are expected to exceed $2 million. WindStream competed for and was awarded the project for its ability to maximize energy production and ROI within the confines of limited roof space.
"This was a bold undertaking and we expect to reap rich rewards through our partnership with WindStream," says Donovan Cunningham, COO of Myers Fletcher & Gordon.
The MFG SolarMill installation is a part of a larger effort by Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to provide greater access to renewable energy solutions in a country where the cost of energy is over three times the U.S. average. JPS and WindStream also collaborated with Eaton Houghton of Caribbean ESCO as the Caribbean's lead energy efficiency auditor for the project.
"The SolarMill installation is an excellent model for other businesses to follow," says Travis Campbell, COO of WindStream Technologies. "If you are interested in energy efficiency and saving money, SolarMills are a simple, cost-effective solution."
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