Barbados has been extremely successful in its embrace of solar water heating: saving millions of dollars in imported fossil fuel costs and millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, thanks to the expansion of this climate compatible technology.  In this CDKN Inside Story, Seizing the sunshine – Barbados’ thriving solar water heater industry, Will Bugler of Acclimatise explores the factors that encouraged Barbados’ homes and businesses to establish and expand their use of solar water heating – and the lessons for other small, fossil fuel-dependent countries.

Key findings include:

• The solar water heater (SWH) industry in Barbados has been very successful. It boasts over 50,000 installations that have saved consumers as much as US$137 million since the early 1970s.
• Governments must create a framework to support the development of SWHs and ensure long-term fiscal and regulatory certainty for manufacturers and customers.
• Fiscal incentives are good value; government support for the Barbados SWH industry was approximately US$550,000 in 2002. Estimates suggest SWHs save consumers between US$11.5 and 16 million per year.
• Governments can play a major role in establishing a commercial market by installing SWHs on public buildings and social housing.
• Persuasive champions who are able to speak to communities, together with effective marketing strategies, are vital for consumer acceptance of the technology.
• Public recognition of the personal, financial and quality of life benefits of SWHs provides a springboard to acceptance of other renewable energy technology programmes.
• The Barbados experience could be easily replicated in other countries with high fossil fuel imports and abundant sunshine.