Growing up in rural Manchester, Toni-Ann saw how changing weather patterns disrupted farming communities. Those early experiences pushed her toward physics, where she could combine analytical skills with practical solutions for Jamaica’s energy future.

At The UWI, she is completing an MPhil in Applied Physics with a focus on renewable-energy systems. Her research, conducted in collaboration with the Climate Studies Group Mona, centers on the modeling and performance assessment of solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems (PV+). By simulating real-world applications, she evaluates how PV+ systems can lower energy costs, improve grid stability, and increase climate resilience for small island developing states like Jamaica.

A notable project explored the feasibility of installing a 500 kW solar PV system coupled with a 1 MWh battery storage unit at a Jamaican manufacturing facility. Her analysis highlighted the system’s potential to reduce electricity expenses and strengthen energy security. The findings were shared in stakeholder workshops hosted by the university, with follow-up sessions planned to guide private-sector uptake of renewable technologies.

Toni-Ann describes her academic journey as deeply connected to her faith. She views environmental stewardship as a moral duty, and she uses her background in science to spark conversations in church communities—bridging gaps between technical knowledge and public understanding.

Her message to peers is one of persistence and collaboration: “Climate change is complex. The more we learn, the more solutions we can design—and no single person or discipline can do it alone.”

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Photo caption: Toni-Ann Hendricks