JPS Co to market WindStream Technologies SolarMill, the all-in-one hybrid Solar and Wind Generator

“Jamaica has been making a mistake. We have been bashing Government and the utility companies, and most of the times we do nothing about our energy usage. So I was determined that we needed to do something in an economic way, and in this regard I brought the idea to JPS”

Eaton Haughton, Energy Consultant who suggested WindStream Technologies to JPS Co

JPS Co’s (Jamaica Public Service Company) really going hard as it relates to Alternative energy. This as they’ve got plans to begin selling approximately 1000 SolarMills, a WindStream Technologies product that combines wind and solar power into one product as stated in the article “JPS goes solar - Energy provider to market hybrid power generators”, Published Saturday September 14, 2013 by Jermaine Francis, Staff Reporter, The Jamaica Gleaner.

JPS Co is yet to introduce Prepaid Power, which was supposed to come on stream by July 2013 as explained in my blog article entitled “JPS Co to introduce Prepaid Power and reduction in Industrial Electricity Rates by July 2013 - JPS Co copies Telecom Providers as it performs The Last Exorcism Part II of Jamaicans who steal Electricity”.

On Monday May 20^th 2013, I even did an Interview on CVM TV’s morning time program, CVM at Sunrise, with regard to Prepaid power as chronicled in my blog article entitled “Prepaid Power coming in July 2013 - A Chip, a Pebble a Rock and a Block would make Prepaid Power The Kings of Summer” suggesting how it needs to be marketed to be benefit to the target population, that being the persons involved in using illegal throw-ups!

So this all-in-one SolarMill (“Solar” and “Mill” concatenated) is JPS Co’s way of introducing Prepaid Power, in a sense. The product, which is to be market via JPS co eStores as an answer to Customer complains about high electricity rates, quote: “One of the cries from Jamaicans is the need for alternatives, and the SolarMill goes and takes the solar installation one step further, because when the sun is not out the wind is still blowing. So it really gives you more power for your dollar”.

No doubt it will be an alternative but most likely an expensive one, possibly costing about US$3000 (JA$300,000). That figure’s based on Eaton Haughton, Energy Consultant, who had a bad run in with Hurricane Sandy and has gone Solar ever since. He gave JPS Co the tip-off and they’ve decided to market the North Vernon, Indiana based WindStream Technologies gear as an Alternative Energy Generator, as its design alone is unusual but not unique.

I remember seeing the very same product at the DBJ (Development Bank of Jamaica) Energy Conference on Friday October 12^th 2012 when I’d accidentally decided to walk through Emancipation Park as explained in my blog article entitled “ScotiaBank and VMBS now offering Alternative Energy Loans - Rise of the Guardians to make Solar Power affordable to Jamaicans”. I guess it was fate, as I bumped into the unusual design being showcased among the various contractors’ booths as it was placed in the middle of the Display Area.

I was attracted to its clever design; part Wind Turbine and part Solar, its vertical Wind turbines means it’ll always be generating electricity no matter which direction the wind is blowing or at what speed, even gentle zephyrs. The Solar Panels help to augment the Wind Turbine in this compact design, reducing installation footprint to just the pre-built unit, an Inverter Switch and the necessary Power Storage Batteries.

What’s truly clever about the design is the braking system. No doubt in a hurricane, high gusts can damage the turbines and the motors. The Wind Turbines have mechanical brakes and are designed to stop the Vertical blades rotating when the windspeed touches 47 MPH (Miles per hour), which translates to some 1400 RPM (Revolutions per Minute).

CEO of WindStream Technologies Daniel Bates is willing to assist Jamaicans and make some money all in the same go, quote “The energy rates that Jamaica's population pay are very expensive, from what I understand. We think that being able to supplement your power needs with renewable resource can dramatically reduce these costs”.

Hopefully it’ll be an affordable option, as if it isn’t then competition from the likes of ATL (Automotive Traders Limited) and other players in the market as explained in my blog article entitled “ATL goes into Alternative Energy at the same Times JPSCo goes into Retail of Energy Saving Gear - ATL Elite The Gransmaster (2013) in a burgeoning Alternative Energy Field in Jamaica” is sure as Winter is Coming in Westeros, Game of Thrones Style!