FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 11/8/2024
Media Contact:
Lasiba Knight, Public Information Officer
(340) 774-0750 ext. 3621
VIBES Program Updates
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS– Effective November 8th, the Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO) overhauled the Virgin Islands Energy Storage (VIBES) program, opening up the application specifications to allow for larger battery systems to participate. VIBES is all about keeping the lights on, even when a storm or other event causes electrical service in the territory to be disrupted.
Launched this May, the federally funded rebate program aims to help Virgin Islands residents defray the cost of investing in energy storage solutions that can switch on automatically in the event of a power outage.
To achieve this goal, VIEO is offering to rebate as much as $6,000 -up from an initial maximum of $4,000 – against the cost of installing residential scale battery backup storage solutions, and an automatic transfer switch or smart critical load panel. An automatic transfer switch typically works so that when the power goes out, all of a homes electrical demands are routed straight to the backup power source. Critical load panels, allow for more selectivity on the other hand, and gives the homeowner the option to discriminate between induvial circuits so that they can decide to keep power running to critical appliances like refrigerators, water pumps, or even whole rooms.
The maximum capacity of the battery installation has also been increased, with systems as large as 20 kWh now eligible. VIEO has also expanded the purchase options applicable to the rebate, and is now allowing consumers to buy battery packs and other hardware from vendors outside of the territory. Please note, systems purchased from vendors outside of VIEO’s network of vetted suppliers will be subject to additional technical review by VIEO staff and must have an approved Electrical Final Certificate from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) before an application can be submitted to VIBES.
The first come first serve rebate program has been initially endowed through a $800,000 grant from the State Energy Program Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (SEPBIL). To qualify for the program you must be a full time resident of the territory, own a home and or business/non-profit, and have an active Water and Power Authority (WAPA) bill in your name. Further, the automatic battery backup system must have a capacity between 3 kWh to 20 kWh. For a full list of eligibility requirements, and to apply for the program, please visit our website at energy.vi.gov, or call us at (340) 713-8436 on St. Croix, or (340) 714-8436 on St. Thomas.
