Solar Solutions: Lighting the Way to Resilience in the US Virgin Islands
“It's not uncommon for us to go weeks without electricity," says Maria, a resident of St. Thomas, USVI.
Nestled in the sparkling azure waters of the Caribbean lies a paradise beset by a unique challenge - frequent power outages and rising utility prices, topping out at three times higher than the Stateside national average. The US Virgin Islands, with its stunning landscapes and vibrant communities, grapple with the harsh reality of unreliable electricity supply, disrupting daily life and slowing progress.
An investigative piece for Scripps News, written by Amber Strong, "Paradise in the Dark: Where Americans Go Weeks Without Electricity," details the experience of Virgin Islanders during these trying times. Despite the efforts of authorities and utility companies, power outages persist, prompting residents to seek alternative solutions for their energy needs.
"Power outages are a major headache here in the US Virgin Islands, especially after hurricanes. It's not uncommon for us to go weeks without electricity," says Maria, a resident of St. Thomas, USVI.
A former senator who has led protests against the territory's only power supplier, Clarence Payne says the Water and Power Authority (WAPA) is unreliable, with regular blackouts and unpredictable costs. "We pay the highest rates under the U.S. flag, higher than Hawaii, higher than Puerto Rico, higher than the Mariana Islands, and Guam.”
In 2022 the cost of power was about 41 cents per kilowatt hour, three times the cost of power on the mainland United States.
Amidst this adversity, solar energy and battery storage technologies emerge as a beacon of hope, offering resilience and sustainability to communities facing uncertainty.
Power outages in the U.S. Virgin Islands are more frequent and last longer than in any other U.S. state or territory, with residents experiencing an average of 20 hours without power annually.
The Challenge of Prolonged Power Outages
”Paradise in the Dark” highlights the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and Maria, where the electrical grid of the US Virgin Islands was decimated, leaving residents in darkness for months on end.
“Hurricanes and the outages they cause are a fact of life on the islands, where the electrical grid was wrecked by the 2017 storms.”
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, power outages in the U.S. Virgin Islands are more frequent and last longer than in any other U.S. state or territory, with residents experiencing an average of 20 hours without power annually.
The Rise of Solar Energy
Amidst these challenges, a glimmer of hope emerges as residents increasingly turn to solar power as a reliable alternative. Residents and officials in the U.S. territory are increasingly looking to solar power and other forms of alternative energy to provide some measure of certainty in an uncertain world.
“Solar power is a game-changer for us. It's reliable, sustainable, and gives us a sense of control over our energy needs," remarks John, a homeowner who recently installed solar panels on his rooftop.
Solar energy and battery backup systems offer a sustainable solution to the islands' energy woes, harnessing the abundant Caribbean sunshine to provide electricity even during grid outages.
The US Virgin Islands have one of the highest solar capacity factors in the United States, making it an ideal location for solar energy generation.
Empowering Communities Through Solar Solutions
By harnessing the abundant power of the sun, solar energy not only provides a dependable source of power but also reduces carbon footprint and fosters community resilience.
The Virgin Islands Montessori School's transition to solar energy is a significant step towards building a more resilient community.
"We've gone from maybe, right now, we'd probably be at about $100,000 a year in WAPA expenses for just electricity, and we're at about $20,000. So you know, we continue to raise our consumption, so we have to keep adding solar panels to keep up with our consumption because the school's growing," VIMSIA’s business directory Peggy Hunt said. "But that's a significant savings of $80,000 a year that we can put back to doing something that's more directly impacted to the kids instead of solely keeping the school running.”
Not only does the school’s solar energy system provide reliable electricity, but it also teaches students about the importance of sustainability. The school’s solar array can provide all of the institution’s electricity during normal conditions and about 70% during overcast days, the article notes, referring to the solar panel and backup battery system installed and maintained by VI Solar Technologies.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the US Virgin Islands have one of the highest solar capacity factors in the United States, making it an ideal location for solar energy generation.
To delve deeper into how residents are navigating the enduring challenges of frequent power outages and embracing solar solutions, connect with VI Solar Technologies at hello@visolartech.com or (340) 244-4434. Join the journey towards sustainability and energy independence, or explore further how solar energy is spearheading climate resilience efforts in the Caribbean.