Toshiba International starts St. Croix solar project construction

Toshiba International, a provider of power generation, transmission, distribution, and renewable energy solutions, has started construction of a 4MW solar generation facility in Estate Spanish Town of St. Croix, US.

Expected to reduce fuel costs by more than $1.7m, the project would generate $3.5m for the local economy during construction.

Toshiba International Corporation business unit manager Mark Lonkevych said the company is on schedule and making progress toward the completion of the project slated in late 2014.

"The new solar generation facility will greatly benefit the people of the US Virgin Islands through energy cost savings, reduced fossil fuel dependency, and local jobs during construction," Lonkevych added.

Till date, the company completed security perimeter and solar panel rack installation for the project while the team will continue to complete the racking system followed by electrical and construction.

Supported by corrosion-resistant racking, nine Toshiba inverters, and several transformers, the solar system comprises 16,748 poly-crystalline photovoltaic modules.

Under a 25-year power purchase agreement, the power plant will generate over 8,300,000kWh annually for the US Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA).

Expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5,792 metric tons or the equivalent of 1,219 car, the electricity produced per year by the project is equivalent to the electricity consumption of over 1,500 St. Croix homes.