Mount Alvernia gets solar boost
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WESTERN BUREAU:
Mount Alvernia High commissioned its new solar power system into service during a ceremony at the Montego Bay, St James-based school last Thursday.
The handover and blessing of the replacement system will complement another one donated by the school’s Central Florida International Alumni Association in September.
Mount Alvernia’s Principal Keron Whyne thanked stakeholder groups such as Food For the Poor, which funded the replacement system following the loss of the original one it had donated during the passage of Hurricane Melissa a year ago.
“Our solar system, which was first commissioned in June 2023, provided an important source of energy for our school until Hurricane Melissa came. Today, we celebrate not only its restoration, but also the resilience and collaboration that have made its return possible,” said Whyne.
“We remain committed to nurturing young women who lead with integrity, compassion, and responsibility. May this restored installation serve as a lasting symbol of hope, partnership, and renewed possibilities for our very own Mount Alvernia High School and its future generations,” she added.
The school’s Students’ Council President Savannah Casserly echoed similar sentiment.
“I feel very proud of my school for being able to accomplish this. ... Despite going through so many challenges due to the hurricane, we were still able to come out better and stronger than ever. I just think this is a representation of more than solar panels, but also of the resilience of our school community,” she said.
The school’s original solar power system, valued at $31.8 million, consisted of 108 panels. The overall cost included electrical work and construction of rooms to house the inverters.
The replacement system, which includes restored panels valued at $3.9 million, is an upgrade to what was lost. It contains 80 bifacial panels generating 50 kilowatts worth of energy, with a 12 percent greater capacity than what the previous panels provided.
Sasha Gaye Shaw, Food For the Poor Jamaica’s programme manager, described the donation as an investment in the future of the youth and their education.
“At Food For the Poor, we believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives. We also recognise that quality education requires a safe and supportive environment where students can learn, grow, and reach their full potential,” she said.
“This project is particularly significant following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which destroyed the school’s previous solar panel system. Its restoration represents not only an investment in infrastructure, but also a demonstration of resilience, recovery, and the power of partnership,” added Shaw.
christopher.thomas@gleanerjm.com