From Rob Gourley December 7, 2015

Solar Head of State calls for leaders to go solar

Today, in keeping with its promise to transition to 35% renewable energy for electricity generation by 2020 and reduce electricity consumption in the Public Sector by 20% by 2020, the Government of Saint Lucia announced a new partnership in solar energy generation that will benefit one of its most iconic institutions.

Dr James Fletcher, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology said, “The renewable energy revolution is essential and exciting. It allows vulnerable Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like ours to reduce public expenditure, stimulate and transform our economies, generate new jobs, while at the same time protecting our environment. It is a winner on all fronts!”

Solar Head of State, with support from its partners, will install a donated 10kW grid-connected solar photovoltaic system on Saint Lucia’s Government House, which will save the government thousands of dollars in energy expenditures over the system’s lifetime.

In 2014 Saint Lucia joined the Ten Island Challenge, a program to accelerate the renewable energy transition in the Caribbean. This is an initiative of Sir Richard Branson’s Carbon War Room, a global incubator for clean energy entrepreneurship and the Rocky Mountain Institute, the world’s original clean energy transition think-and-do tank.

Sir Richard Branson said, “I am delighted to see this initiative going ahead. It’s wonderful that island leaders are showing their commitment to a low carbon future in such a demonstrative way.”

Jules Kortenhorst, Chief Executive Officer of the Rocky Mountain Institute and Carbon War Room said, “Congratulations with Solar Head of State’s work in St.Lucia. These efforts provide wonderful, tangible examples that solar should and does belong in the Caribbean.”

Maya Doolub, a member of Solar Head of State’s advisory board said, “We call on other world leaders at the COP21 in Paris to show personal leadership by putting solar systems on their official residences. Saint Lucia is showing it is time to take action and action starts at home.”

Solar Head of State partners with solar technology companies, local installers and major climate NGOs and foundations to offer well designed, professionally installed solar systems for the residences of heads of state or government around the world in order to showcase and promote the use of the technology.

Saint Lucia’s Governor General’s residence is a historic Victorian building at Morne Fortune on the outskirts of the capital Castries and contains the Le Pavillon Royal Museum which documents state history from the early 17th century.

The solar PV panels for the Saint Lucia Solar Head of State project are being donated by Trina Solar. Jifan Gao, Trina’s founder, is a leading figure in China’s booming solar industry.

Solar Head of State is partnered with the Clinton Climate Initiative as well as the Carbon War Room and Rocky Mountains Institute.