Main Street Businesses interested in reducing their WAPA bills and receptive to the USVI-WISE Energy Efficiency Program.

After talking to more than 30 of the business owners, sales clerks, and store managers I was glad to see that most were receptive to my proposals. They attentively listened when I suggested the installation of air curtains, more efficient lighting, and specially interested in air conditioners. The reality is that for some businesses utility bills are their number one expense and that can be managed if the business plan has taken that into consideration, for many it seems counter intuitive.

The USVI-WISE program, which offers incentives for assessments, equipment purchases and installations, and quality control could help mitigate the burden of the high utility bills. This was just the first visit, a second visit will be scheduled this week to visit the businesses that were missed the first time and hopefully businesses will take advantage of the opportunity.

U.S. residential market not as interested in energy monitoring as recession foes linger.

Google has announced they will retire its PowerMeter on September 16, while Microsoft has shifted their attention to commercial applications. Although it would seem reasonable for a nation suffering through a mayor economic downturn for the past few years to embrace money and energy saving technologies, the reality proves otherwise. Despite all the Federal and local financial incentives, the deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation has been slower than anticipated.

The electric rates in the U.S. Virgin Islands are the highest in the U.S. and the rest of the world except for Tonga ($0.59 / kwh) and Manila ($0.90 / kwh), and you thought you had it bad. Virgin Islanders complain about electric rates every day, yet most don't know how much power they use in a month. Electricity consumption / generation monitoring is similar to keeping track of cell phone usage or grocery shopping, the difference lays in that is is not a habit yet. If you have a chance today look for your WAPA bill today and post a comment with your average daily consumption.

WAPA releases Solar Power RFP

In a news released issued on May 20, Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority has released a request for proposal for a total of 10 MW of solar power to be installed between the islands of St Thomas and St Croix.

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to purchase solar photovoltaic generation from independent power producers. The Authority is seeking a maximum of 10 megawatts (MW) of electrical capacity, allocating approximately 5 MW to each of its two generation facilities serving the districts of St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix. Consideration will be given to a different allocation of the 10 MW capacity between the two districts. The selected respondents will be responsible for constructing, operating, and maintaining all facets of the project.

The utility will sign a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for the procurement of solar energy from one or more selected respondents, with an option to renew for another 5 years. To assist interested bidders, the preferred model of the PPA with specific terms and general concepts important in developing responsive proposals is included in the RFP. The Authority seeks photovoltaic generation to assist in lowering the cost of power production in the territory, so more favorable consideration will be given to proposals that demonstrate a number of important characteristics, including cost effective product pricing, experience, strength of plans for development, construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities utilizing commercially proven technology, and the financial strength of the respondent. Under the PPA, projects are required to be commercially operational 18 months after approval of the agreement by the Authority's Governing Board and the Virgin Islands Public Services Commission.

A pre-bid conference and informational webinar is scheduled for June 7 and site visits will take place on June 15 and 16 for all interested parties. Proposals are due on September 20. A guaranteed commercial operation date has been set for December 2013.

To review the full solar PV RFP, visit www.viwapa.vi. Questions about proposal requirements may be directed to Madeline Stevens Webster or Debarah Smith at pr-18-11@viwapa.vi .