For a long time one of the major deterrents to getting an air-conditioning unit (AC) has been the high electricity bill that it will inevitably yield. However, with the blistering temperatures those who can afford it have decided to invest in these cooling units to alleviate their misery. There is a limit to how long you can stay at the office or in the car.

Perhaps, the only perceived financial benefit of the sun by the Government is to lure tourists from frigid regions to enjoy it on our shores. However, an even richer and more reliable source of income could be had if the Government decided to invest actively in the development of a solar industry. The creation of solar-powered ACs, for example, would prove attractive to many people because of its low-energy cost.

Solar products

The Gleaner's article highlighting that the temperature has risen by 2C is a guarantee that there would be a ready market to invest in this product. In short, an entire industry could be spawned to create and market these and other solar products for the local and foreign market.

The success of Jamaican students in international competitions that encourage innovation clearly shows that we have talented individuals who are capable of the task of developing our solar industry. Let us not sit and lazily wait for other countries to develop solar technology and then frantically search for loans to pay them for it.

I am, etc.,

M.E. Robinson

merdehyah83@hotmail.com

Kingston 8