What is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy comes from sources that can be replenished on a human timescale, like biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind, and solar power. Examples of renewable energy include solar panels, solar water heaters, wind turbines, bio-digestors, fully solar powered refrigerators/freezers, solar lights, and hydro systems. Based on 55 responses to the Ministry’s renewable energy survey of hotels on the electricity grid, approximately 20% of respondents utilize some form of renewable energy, namely in the form of solar panels and solar lights.

What is Energy Efficiency?

Energy efficiency refers to reducing the amount of energy consumed while attaining the same output. LED lighting, energy efficient air conditioning units (inverter units), low flow toilets, low flow faucets and shower heads are examples of energy efficient technology. Many hotels and other businesses in Belize employ energy efficient methods such as LED lighting, energy efficient appliances/fixtures, and motion sensors.

There are also energy conservation methods that hotels can take to reduce their energy consumption. Energy conservation involves using less energy by adjusting behaviors and habits. For example, hotels can ask guests and employees to turn off lights when they leave rooms and common areas.

What are the benefits?

Both energy efficiency and renewable energy result in significant benefits for businesses in the tourism sector. Among these benefits are cost savings, better competitiveness due to reduced cost, reduction of carbon footprint, environmentally friendly image for businesses allowing for new markets, an improvement on the quality of services offered to guests, and preparation for future problems such as power outages and water shortages. Renewable energy is a cheaper and cleaner alternative in remote areas.

Suppliers of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology

Company Telephone Email
Go Green Ltd. 622-0980 gogreenbelize@gmail.com
GreenSun Ltd. 671-4533 chromagenbz@gmail.com
Sun’s Electric 671-1399 jon.siegenthaler@gmail.com
Pro Solar Engineering Ltd. 822-2216 info.prosolar@gmail.com
Energy Management Ltd. 223-2246 info@energymanagement.bz
Solar Energy Solutions Belize 666-1000 mail@sesb.com
Southern Solar Solutions 664-2054 solarbelize@gmail.com
Solar Caribbean 223-2072 carlton.n.young@gmail.com
VIVIDArch Energy Consulting 223-5525 info@vividarch.com
SEOS Sustainable Solutions Ltd. 614-4660 info@seos-international.com

Financing of RE and EE Technology

The Development Finance Corporation offers a specialized financing program for renewable energy and energy efficiency technology. 100% financing is available for loans up to $300,000. The interest rate is 6% and loan repayments are from the savings generated from the Renewable Energy or Energy Efficient Technology. For more information, contact the Development Finance Corporation or visit their website at www.dfcbelize.org.