New Rebate Program Launched to Support Battery Storage Adoption in USVI

The VIBES program offers financial aid for battery storage systems to help mitigate the impacts of erratic power supply from WAPA

The V.I. Energy Office on Friday, May 24 began accepting applications for the Virgin Islands Energy Storage (VIBES) Rebate Program, a new initiative funded by the State Energy Program Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (SEPBIL). This program offers up to $4,000 in rebates for the installation of new residential or commercial battery storage systems, accompanied by either an automatic transfer switch or a smart critical load panel.

The initiative comes in response to the frequent operational disruptions and blackouts experienced by the V.I. Water and Power Authority, affecting residents across the territory. Stand-alone battery energy storage systems act as uninterruptible power supplies, providing homes and small businesses with a reliable power source during outages. The VIBES program is designed to make these systems more affordable, thereby enhancing community resilience to utility disruptions, the V.I. Energy Office said.