St. Croix Educational Complex Powers Up New Micro-Grid Solar Farm

The St. Croix Educational Complex recently celebrated the completion of its new micro-grid solar farm, an initiative that began last year and was completed under the oversight of the V.I. Energy Office. A ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorated this milestone, with Governor Albert Bryan Jr. praising the project as a significant step forward in the Virgin Islands’ commitment to sustainable energy.

Governor Bryan emphasized the strategic importance of the micro-grid, stating, “This marks a big step toward continued leadership in energy efficiency throughout the Caribbean. This project paves the way for other micro-grids to be established across critical areas in the Virgin Islands, ensuring that education will not be disrupted by power outages. We are building a better tomorrow for future generations.”

Kyle Fleming, VI Energy Director, outlined the specifications of the micro-grid, noting its 150kW generation capacity and 220kWh storage capability in its solar battery system. This system is designed primarily to ensure that the emergency shelter areas of the complex remain operational during power outages.

Fleming explained, “Systems like these are increasingly becoming critical infrastructure across the territory. They will become commonplace at government facilities and key community centers as we advance renewable energy and bolster energy resilience at our most essential sites throughout the USVI.”

In addition to providing essential backup power, the micro-grid is expected to yield considerable cost savings by reducing the complex’s daily dependence on the traditional power grid. “The solar power offsets the school’s utility costs significantly every sunny day,” Fleming commented, highlighting an estimated monthly savings of between $6,000 and $10,000.

The project received partial funding through a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior aimed at energizing insular communities. Following this successful implementation, similar solar generation and storage projects are planned across the territory, propelled by a recent $60 million grant awarded to VIEO by the EPA to support the “Solar for All” initiative.