Sol Ecolution, Blue Circle to promote 30 MW of community solar in Barbados

Sol Ecolution, the renewable energy and low-carbon business unit of Caribbean group Sol Petroleum, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Barbados-based firm Blue Circle Energy to jointly promote around 30 MW of community solar projects in Barbados.

The portfolio is currently being developed by Blue Circle.

In their joint statement, the parties said that Blue Circle is to work on the portfolio through the pre-construction phase, and partner with Sol for the construction process.

Sol takes the responsibility of funding the construction, and will operate and maintain the solar farms throughout their 20-year life.

In the portfolio are some 50 ground-mounted single-axis solar projects called “Community Solar Gardens”. They are to be located across all 11 parishes in Barbados.

Most of the projects are currently in the licensing and permitting stages. Depending on regulatory approval, construction would be organised in phases between 2022 and 2025, the companies said.

“Community Solar Gardens advances Barbados’ renewable energy objectives in a meaningful way through the development of solar energy projects, the facilitation of Barbadian investment in renewable energy assets and the grant of an investment interest to local schools. This aligns closely with the key priorities of our National Energy Policy -- to advance renewable energy while also democratizing the energy sector in Barbados,” Barbadian energy minister Kerrie Symmonds was quoted as saying.

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