U.S. Virgin Islands - Net Metering

Eligibility and Availability

In February 2007, the U.S. Virgin Islands Public Services Commission approved a limited net-metering program for residential and commercial photovoltaic (PV), wind-energy or other renewable energy system up to 10 kilowatts (kW) in capacity. In July 2009, the legislature passed Act 7075 that raised the capacity limits to 20 kW for residential systems, 100 kW for commercial systems, and 500 kW for public (which includes government, schools, hospitals). In December of 2014, Act 7705 was enacted to amend Act 7075 to limit net-metering to "systems 10 Kilowatts and smaller". Further it states that "... the net metering program expires January 1, 2025, for a customer- generator that has a generating capacity larger than 10 kilowatts residential". The amendment also defines a "residential customer" as a customer who owns the property where the solar system is located, disqualify renters or those who have leased property.

Meter Aggregation Provisions

The aggregate capacity limit of all net-metered systems is five megawatts (MW) on St. Croix, and 10 MW on St. Thomas, St. John, Water Island and other territorial islands. These limits are equal to 10% of the peak load of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority’s (VIWAPA) electric system. VIWAPA charges a $25 application fee.

Net Excess Generation
Any net excess generation (NEG) produced by a customer is credited at the utility’s full retail rate and carried forward to the customer's next monthly bill. At the end of a 12-month period, any remaining NEG is granted to the utility.

Interconnection
All installations must comply with the IEEE 1547 standard, the UL 1741 standard, the National Electric Code, and the Uniform Building Code. The utility will furnish, install, own and maintain all metering equipment, including a meter capable of measuring customer generation. An external disconnect switch is required at the customer's expense, and customers must indemnify the utility from and against liability for loss and damage.

• In May of 2014, AB 7586 created a feed-in-tariff that would allow owners of solar photovotaic systems ranging between 10 kWh and 500 kWh to sell their energy for approximately 26 cents per kWh.

Refer to VIWAPA's Net Metering Web Site for more information.