A Belco plan to buy electricity generated by renewable sources from residents, has been met with scepticism.

The scheme would enable 750 of the electricity company's customers to put as much as ten kilowatts of energy into its grid.

"Most customers can only generate four to five kilowatts, which puts them below what they're saying is the limit," said Alternative Energy Systems owner Tim Madeiros.

"In theory, you could double that number and still reach the same mark. And if Belco is responsible for passing systems they can do whatever they want. If they choose to work in a non-competitive spirit, they could fail every single customer."

Tim Miller was rejected permission for a wind turbine in 2007 because his house was categorised as "semi-historic". He has a solar-powered water heater and is planning to run his fridge the same way.

To reach the limit of ten kilowatts, he argued that most Bermudians would have to spend close to $100,000.

"Frankly, if I had $100,000 sitting in my back pocket, I'd put it in the stock market. You'd probably get your money back much quicker.

"It'd be nice, but I don't think they will get that many people reaching that limit."

Wind turbine importer Robin Gray said: "I think it's a great idea, but we have to make sure it will work for all small renewable energy sources."

BEST Chairman Stuart Hayward said the programme could remove some of the bad feelings against the technology.

He also questioned its limitations: "It's hard to understand a 750 customer limit and a ten kilowatt limit in sophisticated Bermuda.

"Any and everyone on the less urbane island of Grenada can plug into the grid there and get credit for any surplus they generate."