Why have solar panels been installed in St Martin's Parish Hall?

St Martin's Parish Hall and its adjoining outside toilet block have had solar panels installed as part of a push to move away from using electricity from the grid, officials said. The installation formed part of ongoing refurbishment projects across the parish and was the first of its kind on the island, they added.

Will St Martin be the first parish to commit to solar power?

In a joint statement, they said: "We felt it was our responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint and this is a great day for St Martin to be the first parish to commit to solar power and to do our little bit for the environment." It comes as works are ongoing to refurbish the hall, meeting room, library and offices.

How much does electricity cost in Saint Martin?

For Sint Maarten, the equivalent rates are roughly $0.35/kWh. Like many islands, Saint Martin is highly dependent on imported fossil fuels, leaving it vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations that directly impact the cost of electricity.

What is Sint Maarten's national energy policy?

renewable energy.10 The plan also emphasizes the need to raise awareness of energy conservation among individuals and businesses through communication campaigns. Sint Maarten developed a National Energy Policy (NEP) in 2014 that aims to mitigate the impact of energy use on the environment while reducing electricity tariffs.