Development

UVI and RTPark Break Ground on Solar Farm to Train Students and Cut Fossil Fuel Use by 60%

More sustainable power generation capacity is coming to the Virgin Islands, with the University of the Virgin Islands and UVI's Research and Technology Park officially breaking ground on their solar farm project this week. During the ground-breaking ceremony on Monday, RTPark Executive Director Eric Sonnier spoke about the impact this project will have on the territory. “We are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also creating hands-on learning opportunities that will equip UVI students with the skills needed to thrive in the green economy,” he declared. “Ultimately, it is about empowering the next generation of innovators and ensuring a resilient future of the Virgin Islands.” The new ground-mounted, 423kW solar farm will replace a previous roof array that sustained significant damage during the 2017 hurricanes. The project, funded by A Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation grant, “directly aligns with UVI's broader Energy Management Strategy, which targets a ...