Saint Lucia Solar Report

Solar PV has become the fastest-growing power source in the country. By the end of 2023, the total installed PV capacity is 4 MW.²¹

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• According to an analysis, Saint Lucia has a potential of 36 MW from solar.
• Also, country is aiming to reach at least 50% solar generation by 2030.

No recent data is available for the cost of generation; however,⁶

• The operational costs for diesel generators, transmission and distribution (T&D) systems, along with administrative expenses, totaled approximately EC$230 million in 2015.
• These expenses fluctuate based on diesel fuel prices, which have historically accounted for 40 to 60 percent of total expenditures.

Current Energy Mix: Current Energy Mix: As of 2022, 92% of the island’s energy came from fossil fuels, primarily imported petroleum. Renewable energy accounts for about 8%, with solar energy being the primary renewable source.⁵

The exact number of hours is not available, but:⁶

• Saint Lucia’s infrastructure is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, with critical failure points that could result in prolonged power outages due to high winds or flooding.
• However, LUCELEC has historically restored power swiftly. During the worst storm, Hurricane Tomas in 2010, LUCELEC managed to restore 95 percent of the system within seven days.

Current installation⁷

As of March 2024, solar power installations have been completed on 758 homes in St. Lucia.

Projected installations⁸

Exact number is not available but;

• In an effort to address energy challenges, the Government of Saint Lucia has set an ambitious target of generating 35% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

Installed Solar Farms⁹

As of the latest data, Saint Lucia has only one Solar farm.

Projected Solar Farms⁵

Exact numbers of solar farms are not given but according to an analysis solar energy potential of Saint Lucia is estimated at 36 MW.

Exact figure is not given but;¹⁰

Current Potential of Off-Grid Solar in Saint Lucia (Caribbean Region)

• Currently, the off-grid solar potential in Saint Lucia is inferred from data available for the broader Caribbean region.
• Off-grid solar solutions are well-positioned to fill at least 40% of the electricity access gap across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region.
• In isolated and rural areas, mini-grids make up 30% of the off-grid potential, while standalone systems represent the remaining 70%.
• These off-grid solar systems are not only cost-effective, especially when compared to subsidized national grid tariffs, but they also provide vital energy for sectors such as agriculture, food processing, and retail.
• The deployment of these systems has already shown promise in increasing local economic activity and resilience in disaster-prone areas.
• However, specialized companies offering these solutions are still limited in the region.

Projected Potential of Off-Grid Solar in Saint Lucia (Caribbean Region)

• The projected potential for off-grid solar in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean region is significant.
• Off-grid renewable energy, especially solar, is expected to expand rapidly to accelerate universal electrification and socioeconomic development.
• As demand increases, off-grid solar systems will play a larger role in supplying power to rural and isolated communities, ensuring a faster and more efficient recovery during natural disasters.
• The flexibility of these systems to be modular and scalable makes them adaptable to future energy demands.
• Moreover, as the region works to enhance its energy infrastructure, off-grid solar will likely become a more vital component in reducing inequalities, empowering vulnerable communities, and generating local jobs.

Exact figure is not given but;¹¹

Current On-Grid Demand:

• Saint Lucia’s electricity grid is primarily powered by fossil fuels, with renewable sources like solar PV contributing a growing share.
• The island’s first utility-scale solar farm (3 MW) in La Tourney, Vieux Fort, provides about 1.3% of the total electricity demand, reducing fuel consumption by 1.27 million imperial gallons since its launch.
• The on-grid demand is served by the Cul De Sac Power Plant and supplemented by the growing contribution of solar energy.
• The island consumes around 19 million gallons of fuel annually for its electricity needs, and solar is the best option to reduce the cost.

Future On-Grid Demand and Renewable Integration

• Saint Lucia is planning to scale up its renewable energy capacity significantly.
• A 10 MW solar PV plant with battery storage is planned for the east coast of the island, which will further enhance the on-grid electricity supply.
• To address the vulnerability of the grid to climate events like hurricanes, the island is developing six solar-plus-storage micro-grids at critical facilities (hospitals, airports, water treatment plants).
• These microgrids will integrate into the existing grid but have the capability to operate independently during crises, ensuring uninterrupted power for essential services.
• Additionally, a 7.5 MW/3 MWh battery storage system is planned to support the existing solar PV infrastructure, enhancing grid stability and reliability.
• The USTDA’s assistance in creating a regulatory framework for renewable energy is designed to encourage future expansions in solar and other clean energy sources, improving grid resilience against severe weather and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
• With these projects, Saint Lucia aims to move towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient energy system, reducing both costs and carbon emissions in the coming years.

• A Solar Photovoltaic Installer working in Saint Lucia typically earns around approximately 6,993 USD per year¹²
• The salary range varies from the lowest average of around 3,604 USD to the highest average of around 11,411 USD per year. ​​

Saint Lucia 2024 population is estimated at 179,744 people.¹³

Estimate for Factory Rent¹⁴

Monthly Average Warehouse Rental Cost

Commercial Warehouse Spaces at Beausejour

• Size: 2,500 sq ft
• Rent: 1,852 USD

Large Commercial Office/Warehouse Space in Vigie

• Size: 4,000 sq ft (Ground Floor) + 4,000 sq ft (First Floor)
• Rent: 8,800 USD

Office Space with Adjoining Warehouse (Optional) Near Main Highway, Castries

• Size: 3,000 sq ft
• Rent: 2,445 USD

Business Electricity Price³

• Commercial users on low tension are charged $1.064 per kW with a -$0.059 adjustment, resulting in a price of $1.005, while high tension users pay $1.024 per kW, with a final cost of $0.965.
• Industrial/Hotels users have the same rates as commercial customers, with low tension users paying $1.005 and high tension users paying $0.965 after the fuel cost adjustment.

Key Components of Administrative Costs

Salaries and Wages:¹²

• A Solar Photovoltaic Installer working in Saint Lucia typically earns around approximately 6,993 USD per year
• The salary range varies from the lowest average of around 3,604 USD to the highest average of around 11,411 USD per year

Monthly Rents for Office Space¹⁴

Large Commercial Space in Rodney Bay/Heights

• Size: 1,500 sq ft
• Rent: 1,840 USD

Attractive Office Space in Rodney Bay/Heights

• Size: 1,200 sq ft
• Rent: 1,035 USD

Commercial Office Space in Vigie

• Size: 6,000 sq ft
• Rent: 7,740 USD

2,700 sq.ft. Ground Floor Commercial Space in Rodney Bay

• Size: 2,700 sq ft
• Rent: 4,472 USD

Electricity Generation¹⁵

• As of 2022, St. Lucia relies entirely on fossil fuels for its electricity consumption.
• This means majority of electricity generated in St. Lucia comes from burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal, or natural gas.

 Transmission & Distribution⁶

• Power is generated at 11 kilovolts (kV) and then stepped up to 66 kV for transmission from the Cul de Sac power generation station to six substations—Castries, Reduit, Union, Soufrière, Praslin, and Vieux Fort—strategically located around the island in two rings.
• These substations supply 32 distribution feeders, which step the voltage back down to 11 kV for distribution.

Energy Access¹⁶

• With respect to electricity, grid access in Saint Lucia is over 98 per cent, with the electrical utility having an installed capacity of about 88.4 MW.

Energy Exports¹⁷

• In 2022, Saint Lucia exported $2.82 million worth of refined petroleum, ranking as the 156th largest exporter of this product globally.
• That year, refined petroleum was Saint Lucia’s fourth most exported product.

¹⁸¹⁹

Energy Efficiency in the Building Sector

• Energy Efficiency Building Code (EEBC) is developed to address energy aspects of “green building” designs. Compliance will be phased in, starting with mandatory requirements for new constructions and retrofits in commercial buildings, and later for both public and private sector energy buildings.

Promotion of Renewable Energy in Buildings

• Solar Water Heaters (SWH)
  • Fiscal incentives are maintained for purchasing SWH.
  • SWH will be mandatory for new large hot water consumers like tourist resorts unless co-generation plants provide the hot water.
• Photovoltaic and Solar Technologies
  • The government promotes the use of photovoltaic (solar panels) and solar cooling technologies where these are cost-efficient and reliable.

These regulations aim to promote the use of solar energy and other renewable technologies in buildings as part of broader energy efficiency and conservation efforts.

The National Energy Policy of Saint Lucia (2023-2030) outlines several initiatives to promote renewable energy, especially solar energy Saint Lucia, and encourage local participation in its development.⁵⁷

Key regulatory and policy frameworks that support the solar panel industry in Saint Lucia include:

1. Renewable Energy Penetration Goal: Saint Lucia aims to have 50% of its electricity mix come from renewable energy sources, including solar, by 2030. This shift is crucial for reducing the country’s dependency on imported petroleum and enhancing the resilience of its energy supply .
2. Promotion of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs): The country is actively encouraging the development of rooftop solar installations by individual utility customers, businesses, and municipalities. This initiative is designed to reduce electricity bills and the reliance on fossil fuels, promoting local engagement with renewable energy technologies .
3. Policy and Legal Frameworks: Amendments to the Electricity Supply Act and the creation of the National Utilities Regulatory Commission Act in 2016 have opened the market for renewable energy suppliers and reduced the monopoly of LUCELEC in energy generation. These changes make it easier for independent power producers (IPPs) and self-generators to participate in the energy market .
4. Government Support for Investment: The policy emphasizes creating fiscal incentives and simplifying regulatory procedures to foster investments in the renewable energy sector, which includes solar energy initiatives. This support includes capacity-building programs for local developers .
5. Government Support for Financing Green Energy: The Saint Lucian government provides various financial incentives, including a mix of grants and loans through the Saint Lucia Development Bank. These funds target energy efficiency projects, including photovoltaic solar systems, solar water heaters, and other renewable technologies for residential, commercial, and agricultural use​

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Current Projects:

Project Name: St. Lucia’s First Utility-Scale Solar PV Farm

• Location: La Tourney, Vieux Fort, near Hewanorra International Airport
• Capacity: 3 MW (peak power rating of 4 MW on the DC side)
• Details:

• Officially commissioned in April 2018 and opened in August 2018.
• Built on approximately 15 acres of land and consists of 14,900 solar panels.
• Generates around 7 million kWh of electricity annually (at a 26.6% capacity factor), contributing about 1.3% of the island’s electricity.
• Fuel savings: Over 1.27 million imperial gallons of diesel saved so far, with an estimated reduction of 3800 metric tons of CO2 emissions.
• Cost savings to date: EC$9.1 million.
• The project was funded by LUCELEC with assistance from the Clinton Climate Initiative and Rocky Mountain Institute-Carbon War Room. Construction was carried out by Grupotec.

Project Name: 25KW On-grid Solar Power System²⁰

• Location: Saint Lucia
• Capacity: 25KW
• Details:

• This on-grid solar power system was designed for a Saint Lucian customer named Francis to reduce high electricity bills due to rising energy prices.
• The system generates 100-110 kWh of electricity daily, covering daytime consumption while using city electricity at night.
• The system operates without battery storage and helped the customer save 70-80% on monthly electricity bills.
• The project involved 15 days of production, 40 days of transportation, and was successfully installed with online guidance from Namkoo engineers.

Projected Projects:⁹¹¹

Project Name: St. Lucia’s First Utility-Scale Solar PV Farm

10 MW Solar PV Plant with Battery Storage

• Name: 10 MW Solar PV Plant
• Capacity: 10 MW
• Location: East coast of Saint Lucia
• Details: The plant will include battery storage to enhance the on-grid electricity supply and improve grid stability.

7.5 MW/3 MWh Battery Storage System

• Name: 7.5 MW/3 MWh Battery Storage System
• Capacity: 7.5 MW / 3 MWh
• Location: La Tourney, Vieux Fort
• Details: This system will support the current solar PV infrastructure, enhancing grid stability and reliability.

Six Solar-Plus-Storage Micro-Grids

• Name: Solar-Plus-Storage Micro-Grids
• Capacity: Not specified individually; designed for critical facilities
• Location: At critical facilities including hospitals, airports, and water treatment plants
• Details: These micro-grids will integrate with the existing grid but can operate independently during crises, ensuring uninterrupted power for essential services.

Sol-Lucian Ltd.

Website: sollucian.com

Services and Products:

• Grid-tied and stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) solar system installations
• Solar cell products, including TP 660P 60 Solar Cell
• Solar installations and related services
• Savings calculator for solar power systems

EcoCarib Inc.

Website: ecocarib.com

Services and Products:

• Solar renewable energy solutions
• Energy saving services for businesses and local communities
• Energy monitoring and smart buildings
• Energy audits and management systems
• Solar PV self-consumption electricity solutions
• Electric vehicle charging networks (EZ Drive)
• Green energy financing

Halcol Energy

Website: https://halcolenergy.com.au/st-lucia-solar-installer/

Services and Products:

• On-grid solar installations
• Solar energy solutions tailored to household needs
• Commercial solar solutions
• Tesla Powerwall 3
• Free energy assessments and quotes