Students of the Pine Primary School in Barbados were treated to a solar shuttle tour recently, when Shell announced its sponsorship of the Solar Transport Project at the Sci-Tech/Green Expo exhibition at the Sherbourne Conference Centre.
Shell has been active in the conversion of sunlight into electricity and the provision of solar power solutions for over 30 years, said Andrew Hart, Shell’s Country Chairman for the East Caribbean.
Shell has a global commitment to the development of renewable energy and this project is an example of how Shell seeks to demonstrate this commitment via support for local entrepreneurial initiatives.
Through the Solar Shuttle tours, Barbadians and visitors alike will have the opportunity to experience the noise-free, pollution-free technology while having a relaxing, educational guided tour of the historical sights of Bridgetown. This project promotes three of Shell’s prior ity areas for investment sustainable development, protection of the environment and educational development.
Shell is convinced that solar energy will play an increasingly significant role in the future energy mix, as the demand f or clean energy continues to grow. Barbados is already preparing to meet this demand and these local solar shuttles, developed by scientist William Hinds, are the Caribbean’s first solar-powered, environmentally-friendly tour vehicles. We are delighted to be part of a project which will help to promote the increased awareness of the importance of renewable energy, Hart concluded.
Shell Solar is in the process of redirecting its solar energy business efforts into the development of the next generation of solar energy technology thin film CIS (Copper Indium Diselenide). In this application, a thin-film photovoltaic module is created by applying a fine film of copper indium diselenide to a glass backing, producing a semi-conductor. When the semi-conductor is exposed to sunlight, it actively converts sunlight into electricity, at a cost of up to ten times less than the crystalline silicon based cells now on the market.
The Nassau Guardian
