BE Solar has a history in renewable energy that stretches far beyond its 15 years as a provider and installer of solar photovoltaic systems on the island. Bermuda Engineering Company was founded in 1935 by Gordon Burland, who had a wind turbine at his Paget home and designed a solar hot water heater.
By creating an independent microgrid in the 1930s, Mr Burland demonstrated the spirit of energy independence, which lives on at BE Solar today, where his great grandson Travis Burland is still involved as chief innovation officer.
Customers who invest in the solar panels and battery systems provided and installed by BE Solar can create a 21st-century version of an independent microgrid, reducing reliance on the Belco grid.
Since 2010, BE Solar has completed more than 800 clean energy projects, including solar installations for homes of various sizes, and for larger entities such as the Argus Group, Saltus Grammar School and the Hamilton Princess hotel, and charities including the National Museum of Bermuda, Family Centre, PALS, and the Bermuda Red Cross.
One of the great selling points is that solar panels, paired with battery storage, provide properties with backup power in the event of an outage. A 10-kilowatt-hour system could, for example, provide a silent alternative to a noisy, fuel-guzzling generator during a post-hurricane power cut, providing sufficient power to run essential appliances such as a fridge, LED lights, ceiling fans, water pumps, internet modem, and power outlets to charge laptops and phones. Customers who upscale to larger systems could also power appliances, such as air conditioners.
The Aptos bifacial solar panels supplied by BE Solar are not only resilient (designed to withstand 150mph winds, but they are also highly efficient. By harvesting reflected sunlight on the rear, as well as direct sunlight on the front, the panels are capable of generating up to 30% more energy than traditional panels. And they come with a 30-year warranty.
Once the panels are installed on a roof, they are covered by the home insurance policy.
The Enphase IQ5P batteries sold by BE Solar are the core of the most powerful residential battery system on the market in Bermuda. It’s a modular system — each battery block contains 5kWh of energy and can be scaled up to as high as 80kWh, helping property owners to rely less on the BELCO grid and have backup power in the event of an outage. Enphase provides an industry leading 15-year warranty on the IQ5P batteries.
Enphase battery systems come with an intuitive monitoring app, allowing the user to see the property’s energy consumption, production and battery levels in 15-minute intervals, data that help households become more energy efficient.
“This is an investment in your household energy security,” says Jo Frith, BE Solar’s Chief Sales Officer. “It will reduce the operating costs of your property, strengthen your home’s resilience against hurricanes and also increase your property’s value.
“We provide value-based engineering to design a system around a client’s goals and budget. While it involves a significant upfront investment, the financial returns are strong, because Bermuda has some of the highest electricity costs in the world.
“The payback period for a typical photovoltaic system is six years, or about 10 years when a battery storage system is included. With the warranties far exceeding the payback period, this investment will deliver many years of free energy over the long term.” explained Frith.
Tel: 441 279-5907 | Email: info@BEsolar.bm | Web: www.BEsolar.bm
Address: 48 St. John’s Road, Pembroke
Services: Energy Efficiency Advice, Solar Electricity Panels, Battery Storage, Electric Vehicle Chargers, Maintenance and Service.
