The OECS Commission and Solar Head of State (SHOS), a non-profit association working with governments to demonstrate leadership on the implementation of the sustainable energy agenda, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 6, 2018 in Jamaica to support the vision of the OECS for a sustainable future and demonstrate the commitment of the leadership of the OECS to the global effort to address climate change and the need to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS Commission and Mr. James Ellsmoor, Director of SHOS.
In the main, the MoU will enable The OECS and SHOS to work collaboratively to develop and implement a regional strategy that seeks to generate public savings through the installation of solar photovoltaic power systems on key government buildings in OECS Member States.
The MoU formalises a framework of cooperation and facilitates collaboration between The OECS and SHOS to improve knowledge sharing and build capacity through the transfer of critical skills and global expertise in the design and installation of solar systems.
It is the hope that, the installation of solar systems on public government buildings will provide an opportunity to experience, first-hand, the proven benefits of renewable technologies thereby inspiring a global coalition of green leaders.
OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules said that,
“This MOU with Solar Head of State supports the mission of the OECS Commission to contribute to the sustainable development of OECS Member States by assisting them to maximise the benefits from their collective space.”
The SHOS team have already begun work in the OECS, installing the first solar system on the public residence of the Governor-General, at Government House in Saint Lucia. The 5.4kW grid-tied system will save 100 tons of carbon and save the government roughly US$150,000 in its lifetime.
