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‘The sun is free...Get on board’ with STEP- Hon Kye M Rymer

- Residents encouraged to take advantage of 0% duties on renewable energy & energy-efficient products beginning today
Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), Minister for Communications and Works, on site for the installation of solar panels under the Solar Technology and Energy Programme (STEP) on August 24, 2025. Photo: Facebook
Employees of Photon Innovation installing solar panels on a house under the Solar Technology and Energy Programme (STEP) on August 24, 2025. Photo: Facebook
Employees of Photon Innovation installing solar panels on a house under the Solar Technology and Energy Programme (STEP) on August 24, 2025. Photo: Facebook
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), has encouraged Virgin Islanders to sign up for the Solar Technology and Energy Programme (STEP).

Hon Rymer was on site for an installation of solar panels on August 24, 2025, at a house in Threadfall Estate in the Sea Cows Bay area. 

“The STEP initiative is ongoing. This is our initiative where we are trying to reduce the cost of generating electricity, solar panels,” Hon Rymer said from the roof. 

Twenty-one residents, making up the first cohort approved under STEP, signed their contracts on Thursday, February 6, 2025. 

'The sun is free'

Hon Rymer reminded that the Cabinet approved a five-year zero customs duty for renewable energy and energy-efficient products beginning today, Monday, September 1, 2025 and ending August 31, 2030. 

“We would have just done the zero per cent duty on all renewable energy products and so forth, and we are just encouraging persons within the Virgin Islands to get on board…you know the sun is for free, you can just imagine the kinds of savings that you will have when you have a solar system to generate your energy for your home,” he encouraged. 

The STEP programme is a government initiative being done in collaboration with the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC). 

“We encourage persons to be a part of this, reach out to BVIEC. This is basically for your savings, for your electricity.”

Local installers 

Locals were trained for the STEP Programme at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) through a certificate programme. 

Photon Innovation was the company that installed the panels on the house Hon Rymer visited. 

“We have a local company doing the installation…we are proud to have you on board, we are proud to have you being a part of this programme,” he told Mr Johnathan Cruz, owner of Photon Innovation.

13 Responses to “‘The sun is free...Get on board’ with STEP- Hon Kye M Rymer ”

  • resident (01/09/2025, 08:29) Like (39) Dislike (1) Reply
    the sun is free but solar isn't cheap, if you are building a new house it's better to do it then, for someone already knee deep in a mortgage, that is a tough hill to climb
  • bvibuzz (01/09/2025, 09:28) Like (2) Dislike (15) Reply
    he is going to be the next chief?
  • Tone deaf (01/09/2025, 09:40) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply

    Not everyone can and will be able to afford the solar panels. 

  • LOL (01/09/2025, 10:59) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply

    The Sun is free but what about the equipment and maintenance? What are the grade of equipment being used for this initiative? Solar can be good if done right and with the government involved I have my doubts!

  • Government taxing solar installations (01/09/2025, 11:12) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    The most expensive part of governments deal on solar power is the short term contracts to join the BVI grid , and the offer of only credit back not cash on back feeding into grid at only a low agreed per kwhr rate. Government can up the cost of these costly contracts anytime taking no risk at all . Another con job government taxing their sons for Sunlight.
  • steps 2 elite (01/09/2025, 11:19) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    the sun if free but you will be paying a hefty entry fee that most lower and middle class can't meet

    plus most lower and middle class dont even own a house to be placing these things on

    small elite will have it and will still charge high rent despite getting solar
  • Truth (01/09/2025, 12:41) Like (28) Dislike (4) Reply
    Why this man always in some picture, thats why i call him the photo minister every minute he want to be in picture if you had really love country first you would not of care if you are in a picture or nott
    • hmm (01/09/2025, 18:41) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Question. So he showing you he's working, how else do we know he actually trying to push the country forward. let the rest of them take pics of their day to day so we can see who working for us
  • Really (01/09/2025, 14:40) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I warned you all years ago about the script. Do you see all the movies warning about the end time of this world which you live without so much control. Your going into the system that is fully control. I warned you about the electricity how they was going to go solar so they can control your every move. Solar doesn't work and eventually they will get rid of the electricity switch to this a get rid of this also. This and the electric cars will be to cars that will charge with their own charge which wouldn't need electricity. It's alot you need to learn. What reverse angle
    • @ Reallly...Wha? (01/09/2025, 16:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Who is "they" that can control our every move? How does solar come into your nutty ideology? What a depressing and depressed person you are.
  • ŴELL HERE COMES OUR NEW HERO (01/09/2025, 19:51) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    TO THE RESCUE AGAIN , JUMPI LIKE A GRASSHOPPER HERE THERE AND EVERYWHERE STARTING AND NOT FINISHING THISE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS THATS UNDER REPAIRS FOR YEARS NOW / EXCEPT POSING FOR THE CAMERAS , LETS SEE YOU POSE IN FRONT ALL THE BUILDINGS YOU SQUANDERING TAXPAYERS MONEY ON RENT FOR THEM ( WASTE AH TIME )
  • 007 (02/09/2025, 07:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great job folks. Just be mindful of where you house the batteries. They are the only problem to this solar solution. They emit radio waves. I suggest you house the battery station away from the building. Thank me later. Google it now.


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