SCC holds business seminar on solar power systems

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce held a business seminar for the month of October last Wednesday at Marianas Business Plaza focusing on solar power generation solutions for business and home use.

Ron Smith, owner of Angil Design Independent Power Systems, spoke on affordable options to safely operate in the event of power loss and Internet outages.

“The reason I formed this company is to get people on alternative energy because it benefits our community and the island. You can stay connected to [the] CUC (Commonwealth Utilities Corp.), keep your gas generator but invest in solar overtime. There are many different options and it’s good to have many,” he said.

In the wake of Typhoon Soudelor, businesses were affected and operated at a loss in profits and efficiency due to electricity constraints.

Due to this, Smith offers free site visits to determine individual solar needs.

“Unfortunately,” he says, “the company does not offer financing but the pricing ranges anywhere from $2,000 to $200,000.”

When asked about whether solar has to be approved by CUC, Smith stated that the utility company only gets involved if a home or business wants to put power back in the main grid.

Current laws only stipulate that you must obtain permits from the Department of Public Works to be off-grid.

“The Department of Public Works and building code division is your partner in developing your property which helps prevent pitfalls in electrical installations and ensures safety,” he said.

The current solar power system being offered by Smith’s company can power a business for up to seven hours and last approximately 10 years.

When asked to describe the system’s energy output, he said, “Installation and power requirements vary a lot but typically for 9.6 kilowatt hours functioning at 80 percent capacity would require at least 2,000 to 3,000 watts.”

The smallest kit available is 2-kilowatt hours but the systems are backed by a warrantee for 30 years or within the period the manufacturer provides.

For most components, Smith is offering the same prices as their parent company minus the shipping. The systems come fully automated and are shipped via UPS, USPS, and CTSI and usually arrive within a month.

The solar power systems can be viewed at wholesalesolar.com.