Concerned about unqualified solar power professionals

THE EDITOR, Madam:

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa and the ongoing challenges with our electricity supply, more people are turning to solar power.

Unfortunately, the rapid growth of the solar industry has also created an environment where too many unqualified or poorly trained installers are presenting themselves as experts.

When we build a house, we are required to submit plans, including electrical designs, to ensure safety and compliance. None of us enjoys the cost or delays that come with regulation, but we accept that it is there to protect life and property. Yet, in the solar power sector, there appears to be no consistent standard of certification, accountability, or oversight.

It seems anyone can claim to be a “solar technician” or “renewable energy consultant”, and the average person has no way of knowing their competencies. Even large, well-advertised companies and contractors securing major projects sometimes lack proper engineering plans or technical foundations. Some disappear when problems arise, while others continue to collect money without delivering working solutions.

In my own experience, from making repeated payments for systems that never functioned properly, there were solar water heaters that were constantly ‘repaired’ but never fixed, and installers who could not produce basic design documentation when asked. These are not minor inconveniences. Solar systems are expensive, and families invest in them with hope and sacrifice.

I am not calling for heavy regulation that makes solar inaccessible or unaffordable. Jamaica has a history of turning legitimate concerns into burdensome bureaucracy, and we must avoid that outcome. What we need instead is sensible protection through clear and reasonable standards that help citizens distinguish qualified professionals from opportunists.

Some practical measures could include:

• A transparent registry of certified solar installers

• Minimum technical and safety standards for system design

• Penalties for fraudulent or misleading contractors

• Public education so consumers know what questions to ask before they buy.

These protections would not slow down solar adoption. They would strengthen it. A trustworthy industry is one that grows sustainably, attracts real investment, and delivers the reliability people are seeking.

People deserve confidence that, when they invest in solar, they are not moving from one problem to another. At a time when resilience and energy security matter more than ever, we must ensure that the move toward renewable energy does not leave people exposed to exploitation.

FRUSTRATED SOLAR SYSTEM

USER