V.I.'s largest solar project ready
Published: September 5, 2011
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ST. THOMAS - The massive array of solar panels at King Airport will soon be soaking up the sun - and saving the V.I. Port Authority a lot of money.
The photovoltaic panel system is almost 1,500 feet long and 14 feet wide and will generate about 450 kilowatts - approximately 15 percent of the airport's energy. Port Authority officials have said the airport's utility bills can average $300,000 to $400,000 a month.
The photovoltaic system will be the biggest solar project in the Virgin Islands, and it may even be the largest system in the Caribbean, V.I. Energy Office spokesman Don Buchanan said.
The territory's second-largest solar system, the panels atop the Ron de Lugo Federal Building, generates 79 kilowatts. The third-largest system, at The Nature Conservancy on St. Croix, generates 8 kilowatts.
The airport project was funded with a $2.9 million federal stimulus grant under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Buchanan said the system is pretty much ready to go, they are just putting on the final touches and making the final inspections.
"Everything seems to be going OK," Buchanan said.
The project has been a joint effort between the Port Authority, the Energy Office and the V.I. Water and Power Authority.
WAPA Executive Director Hugo Hodge Jr. said the net metering agreement has been signed. According to V.I. law, government buildings can participate in WAPA's net metering program with a system producing up to 500 kilowatts.
Under the agreement, the Port Authority will produce energy from the solar panels for its own use and feed any excess back into WAPA's grid. The Port Authority will get a credit toward their power bill when it feeds the WAPA grid, Hodge said.
Buchanan said a ceremony is being planned for later this month to officially "flip the switch" on the system. He said it is timed to occur close to the upcoming Energy Development in Island Nations conference, so U.S. Energy Department officials will be able to attend.
- Contact reporter Aldeth Lewin at 774-7882 ext. 311 or email alewin@dailynews.vi.
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