As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy has allocated $1.5 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands under the Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) grants program.
This funding is part of a broader initiative, which includes fourteen state and territorial weatherization offices across the United States, totaling $53.6 million in grants aimed at providing low-income households with energy-saving measures not traditionally covered by DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program.
According to the Dept. of Energy, the V.I. Energy Office will utilize the grant to install rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery storage, and Smart Grid/Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Aggregator systems throughout the territory. These measures are designed to enhance energy stability in an area that grapples with high electricity costs and is frequently impacted by hurricanes.
Supported by the Government of the Virgin Islands, this initiative seeks to address the unique challenges faced by the territory’s residents, particularly those in low- and moderate-income households. The project aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, stabilize energy costs, and mitigate the effects of frequent grid interruptions that disrupt daily life in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
