Bringing Solar for All to the U.S. Virgin Islands
Milepost’s expertise secures more than $62M for the Virgin Islands SFA Program, achieving the highest per capita funding rate among all recipients.
The mission
When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of its Solar for All (SFA) funding of $7 billion, financed by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Milepost knew they were the perfect consulting team for the job. This funding opportunity aligns with Milepost’s mission to help states and territories develop long-lasting solar programs for low-income and disadvantaged communities. With experts in sustainability, city planning, federal grant writing, and renewable energy solutions, the Milepost government team worked closely with the Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO) and their stakeholders to draft a winning application!
Given that all U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) communities are designated as disadvantaged per Justice40 guidance and are vulnerable to hurricanes, the strategic integration and placement of distributed energy resources (DER) was crucial for maintaining the stability of the territory’s isolated grid during inevitable events. In the fall of 2023, the islands of St. Thomas and St. John experienced several weeks of rolling blackouts, highlighting the urgent need for greater grid resiliency.
By emphasizing the potential of solar power to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels and enhance energy resilience, Milepost crafted a compelling narrative that resonated with the EPA's goals.
Once awarded, Milepost collaborated with VIEO to design an SFA-compliant program that enhanced existing solar financing programs. These programs provide low-interest loans to homeowners for solar panel purchase and installation, making power more accessible and affordable for underserved residents.
Through these efforts, Milepost supported the ultimate SFA grant goals to significantly lower energy costs for families, create quality jobs in underserved communities, and advance environmental justice while tackling climate change.
Milepost's expertise in coordinating stakeholders and characterizing USVI’s unique energy landscape was critical in developing a successful grant application.
What we did
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Data collection
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Proposal development
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Market research
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Engagement strategy
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Presentation and pitch deck design
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Federal grant management
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Stakeholder identification and outreach
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Internal stakeholder coordination
The results
In the end, USVI was one of the 60 selections that were awarded SFA funds. Our team helped secure $62,450,000 for the Virgin Islands SFA Program, which will fund residential solar and residential-serving community solar projects with associated storage. USVI’s award achieved the highest per capita funding rate among all recipients. The project will transform USVI’s residential energy landscape by significantly reducing high electricity costs in communities most in need and strengthening an energy grid susceptible to natural disasters and rolling blackouts.
This significant achievement underscores Milepost's commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions and supporting communities, regardless of their size and geography, in their pursuit of a sustainable energy future.