A local environmental company has launched what is to be the country's first solar air conditioning unit.

Prince Graham-Haynes, president of Green Energy Technologies, said that with the increasing global demand for oil, smaller countries like Jamaica, must find ways to secure their energy needs.

Furthermore, with the price of oil climbing past US$131 per barrel Wednesday, consumers are looking to new and effective ways to keep energy costs at a low.

"The cost of oil is spiralling out of the reach of all of us," Graham-Haynes said. "What we are trying to encourage is the idea of energy security."

Lead the solar revolution

Graham-Haynes said that given that Jamaica is a country with the benefit of sunlight, it should lead the solar revolution.

The air-conditioning unit uses renewable solar power, which it stores in its battery unit.

The air conditioner can be used for both business and residential purposes and can be operated both inside and outside.

The battery unit can be configured for two to 12 hours reserve time.

Graham-Haynes admitted that there might be some reservations about buying the unit because of the cost, but said the system would pay for itself in less than three years through savings in electricity bills.

"After that the only additional costs would be quarterly maintenance charges," he said.