Renewable energy company BE Solar has installed a solar electricity system that is estimated will save cancer charity PALS $6,000 each year on energy bills.

The company won a competitive process to install the 11.97kW system on the roof of the PALS building in Paget. It consists of 38 high efficiency 315 Watt Peimar solar panels, which have a 30-year warranty.

The installation was done by four Bermudians and two spouses of Bermudians, led by Bermudian solar installer Tre Govia. He has been with BE Solar since 2010. Mr Govia described the project as straightforward with an accessible roof. He said: “This first phase is great for PALS and as the roof is so large and oriented south, it’s ideal for a second phase sometime soon.”

A total of 38 enphase microinverters were also installed to turn the solar energy into useable electricity and allow PALS to monitor the solar energy production. The microinverters are designed to have silent back-up battery storage incorporated into the property at any time in the future.

The system is projected to save PALS more than $185,000 during the next 30 years, while helping to reduce the need for 610 barrels of oil from being burnt by Belco.

Stratton Hatfield, director of development at BE Solar, said: “We are so proud to have partnered with PALS to deliver another high quality solar solution for such a great and beneficial charity in Bermuda.”

BE solar said its vision is an efficient Bermuda powered by affordable renewable energy and it is continuing to “foster partnerships with non profit organisations that are helping people in Bermuda”.

Colleen English DeGrilla, executive director at PALS, said: "We are so thankful to be working with BE Solar to reduce our carbon footprint and achieve cost efficiencies for PALS. PALS is a cancer care charity that has provided our services to cancer patients in Bermuda for over 40 years.

“We never charge a patient or their family for our services and we receive no government grants. The cost savings achieved through this partnership will directly benefit our clients as well as making an impact in the community. We are grateful for the BE Solar efficiency and excellent customer service.”

BE Solar has a website at https://www.besolar.bm/