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21 residents sign contracts for solar system STEP
Twenty-one residents were selected to pilot this STEP initiative, and General Manager of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Dr Neil M. Smith said the company has been working to make STEP a reality since June 2024.
Dr Smith explained that customers, upon signing up for STEP, are presented with two options: paying for the system upfront or paying it off with savings made every month.
He explained that some customers will realise up to fifty and even sixty per cent savings monthly and annually on their electricity bills.
STEP is designed to do 3 main things- Dr Smith
STEP, Dr Smith added, is designed to achieve three main goals.
- Reduce the cost of energy to the customer and eventually lower BVIEC’s cost of generating energy
- Create an incubator for a new commercial sector. The BVIEC intends to train people to become installers of solar systems and has partnered with the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) to offer a certification programme.
- Support the government’s mandate to integrate renewable energy into the grid.
A movement is being fueled through STEP- Hon Rymer
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) said, “We are not just signing contracts, we are fueling a movement…STEP is our golden ticket to reducing energy costs. We are also embracing innovation and securing our future as global leaders in sustainability.”
The Minister said one million dollars was injected into the STEP initiative to kickstart what he called an energy revolution.
Through the efforts of the BVIEC’s team, homeowners who have signed up for STEP will see fifty percent of the upfront cost covered for the solar installation.
“That’s right, half of the burden, gone,” Hon Rymer said.
He also encouraged all homeowners in the Territory to sign up for STEP, saying,“Sunshine is free, abundant and one hundred per cent Virgin Islands made. So join a community of pioneers who will save.”
STEP is a significant step forward- Wade Tobin
Wade W. Tobin, one of the first STEP recipients, said he is grateful and elated to be one of the first recipients selected for STEP
“This initiative represents a significant step forward not only for us individuals but for our communities as a whole. I chose to participate in this programme because I believe in the transformative power of renewable energy.
"As we face increasing environmental challenges, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. By engaging in this programme, the participants and I aim to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to a greener future both for ourselves and for the generations to come."
Mr Tobin said he hopes to advance his knowledge of solar technologies, which will empower him to advocate for cleaner energy solutions
The impact of STEP, Mr Tobin added, is profound for the community because by harnessing solar energy, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, lower energy costs, and promote environmental sustainability.
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4 Responses to “21 residents sign contracts for solar system STEP”
1. BVIEC intends to train individuals to become solar installers? what happen to the twenty something persons in the BVI who are NABCEP certified? Were these individuals selected or is this a new set of persons identified?
2. $1,000,000 invested by Government? this smells fishy
3. Has any de-risking been done on this program?
4. Who ultimately bears the liability of these systems BVIEC or the customer?
5. Will these systems be insured?
6. Who is responsible if a customer's roof is damaged during the installation of these systems?
7. Are these 50/60 % savings real? What empirical analysis was done to determine that?
8. Someone with a $300 light bill will save $150 if a system cost 20K can BVIEC wait 12 yrs to get their capital return?
Finally, what if customers decide that they are not getting what was promised and stop paying?