There will soon be three separate programs that will allow residents to receive financial assistance for the purchase and/or installation of solar water heaters.
The programs, made possible with funding under the federal stimulus act, are renewable energy rebates, a solar-thermal revolving loan system and a program to put solar water heaters in moderate-income housing communities.
The funds for all three programs are being administered by the V.I. Energy Office, according to a statement from Government House.
“Residents interested in getting a solar water heater with no money down and willing to finance the purchase and installation costs, may be eligible for an instant $1,000 rebate, and up to $3,500 in loans,” Gov. John deJongh Jr. said in the Government House release. This program will target 1,000 residents to benefit from a combination of renewable energy rebates and revolving loans. One million dollars has been set aside in rebates and $3.5 million in revolving loan funds.
“More money may be added to this program through an Energy Alliance Program, which is currently under development,” deJongh said. “The program has not yet started, but residents can monitor the website at www.vienergy.org to get the starting date.”
The solar-thermal program for moderate-income housing offers incentives for the V.I. Housing and Finance Authority to install solar water heaters in 130 of the territory’s public housing units. Details are being finalized, but according to Energy Office Director Bevan Smith, there is up to $600,000 budgeted for this program.
“Besides these stimulus funds, there is another $401,000 in our regular rebate program that can be tapped for all renewables and energy efficient appliances,” Smith said.
These programs are also in concurrence with mandates established in an act of the V.I. Legislature, which deJongh signed into law earlier this year. A section mandating the installation of solar water heaters in new developments stated that the “developer shall use energy-efficient solar systems for providing not less than 70 percent of water heating.”
Installing solar water heaters through these programs will help increase energy efficiency while simultaneously reducing the cost to the ratepayer, according to deJongh.
“Our focus continues to be in putting in place programs that educate the community on ways they can reduce energy costs and then having the means to take advantage of the opportunities, especially during these financially difficult times," he said. "The success of this initiative is further reflected in the focus on training and employment opportunities for our young people provided by the departments of Education and Labor.”