The Solar Offset System was created in response to the void of inexpensive and accurate small emission reduction verification procedures. The SOS provides an accurate way of measuring and verifying small CO2 emission offset projects. ERT believes that the idea of having a global baseline is grossly inadequate and currently any other options have too high of a transaction cost. Our system of registering and verifying emission reductions from small projects is unique in that it uses a simple technology and utilizes the installer as a data collecter to make a formerly economically impossible task possible.
Details
The Solar Offset System is a software system created by Process and Technology Solutions (PTS) and Environmental Resources Trust (ERT). The software has 4 phases.
Phase 1 is Pre-installation. During the Pre-installation phase the installer recieves the solar panel from the manufacturer and scans the bar code, giving the system a unique code within the system that can be tracked and verified in the future. The Installer also types in some preliminary information such as an address where the system will be installed and some specs on the system.
During phase 2 the installer goes into the field and actually installs the solar panel. During the installation he observes prior forms of electrification or lighting around the site. He gathers this data onsite.
Phase 3 is Post-installation. This phase occurs when the installer has arrived back at his office. He enters in the data he collected in the field about previous operations.
The final phase is Phase 4 data sending. The data is sent to our offices at ERT and put into a database that calculates the emission offsets from each installation. ERT holds accounts for the installers and verifies the results. The Installers than have a centralized location for their valid offsets and can bundle their emission offsets for sale in a larger market.
The money recieved from the sale of the offsets can enrich the system and create a sustainable loop of funding.
Pilot Project
ERT has been working in Uganda, Africa with an international non-profit group Solar Lights for Africa (SLA) and a Uganda-based solar installation company Solar Energy Uganda. The group travelled to Uganda Africa last summer and installed 10 solar systems and electrified a rural hospital. They gathered the data using the SOS system and analysed the results. This summer the group will again return to Uganda and install 10 solar systems and electrify a hospital. The group is also planning on expanding the system to Tanzania and is going to put up 100 panels in Tanzania.
Quantification of reductions
ERT is still working on vetting its methodology and is in a process of high level peer review