LASCO Distributors Ltd. on Thursday, April 11, celebrated the successful completion of the UWI/LASCO Solar Pilot Project.

The project featured installing a 500 kW PV+ system at LASCO’s facility in Spanish Town, St. Catherine and a 10 kW solar hybrid system to provide resilient power to the Central Village Multi-Purpose Centre adjacent to LASCO’s distribution centre.

This system has been developed in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Cadmus-led Jamaica Energy Resilience Alliance (JERA). Among the largest of its kind in the country, it will power LASCO’s operations and serve as a living laboratory for research and training purposes at the University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI).

The project highlights the critical role of partnership in advancing renewable energy solutions and underscores the commitment of both the public and private sectors to bolstering Jamaica’s energy resilience and sustainability. Its implementation, which will provide valuable experience-in-use to researchers at UWI, not only underscores commitment from LASCO and UWI to advancing solar technology but also provides a platform for critical research into commercial-scale batteries for distributive generation.

James Rawle, executive chairman of LASCO Affiliated Companies, said, “LASCO is proud to spearhead this ground-breaking project, which exemplifies our dedication to innovation and sustainability. The 10 kWp battery-based solar PV system installed at the Central Village Multi-Purpose Centre is designed to supply useful power with important savings of J$60,000 per month.

He added, “This intervention increases LASCO’s engagement with our neighbouring community and will help to revive and foster community activities at the centre while providing energy resilience. A move that is entirely consistent with our ESG principles and the philosophy of investing in and working to improve our communities — a core facet of our corporate ethos.”

US Ambassador to Jamaica Nick Perry, said, “The success of this project exemplifies the power of partnership and innovation in advancing our collective efforts toward an energy-resilient Jamaica. The Government of Jamaica’s ambition to generate 50 per cent of the country’s energy from renewables by 2030 resonates deeply with the shared vision outlined in the U.S- Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030).”

“PACC 2030, an investment of over US$140 million, emphasises collaboration to enhance energy security and mitigate climate change impacts. I applaud LASCO for their leadership and commitment to advancing sustainability and resilience within Jamaica’s manufacturing sector,” he continued.

Aligned with Jamaica’s energy policy objectives, the UWI/LASCO Solar Pilot Project demonstrates the
transformative potential of resilient, renewable energy systems. Through the adoption of distributed solar
photovoltaics (PV) and PV with battery storage (PV+), this initiative paves the way for a more resilient energy landscape, capable of withstanding natural or human-induced disruptions.