GCT and solar energy
published: Tuesday | May 23, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

AS THE price of oil keeps climbing, many of us are looking for ways to lessen our dependency. At an individual level, this means smaller cars, possibly hybrid cars, actively practising energy conservation, and using up a renewable source of energy that we have in abundance here in Jamaica, namely solar energy.

However, harnessing the sun's energy necessitates having certain basic components: solar panels, inverters, batteries, etc. In setting up a system to use solar energy, the only component that is GCT free is the actual solar panel, which represents only a part of an entire system. Surely, while we await a clearly articulated national policy on the use of alternative energy, the government can begin by revising the tax policy on solar energy systems components. The individual components are expensive enough already without having to pay the government additional taxes on something that if more people were to use, could significantly reduce our national energy bill.

I am, etc.,

KELLY MCINTOSH

St. Andrew