The most compelling solar economics in Antigua exist at the commercial scale. Hotels, resorts, manufacturing operations, and large office buildings can achieve payback periods of five to seven years — eliminating 40–60% of their electricity bills.
Why Commercial Outperforms Residential
Large commercial consumers run high daytime loads — A/C, kitchen equipment, laundry, refrigeration — that align directly with solar generation profiles. A hotel operating at full capacity self-consumes far more of its solar output than a household whose occupants are away during peak solar hours. Larger systems also benefit from economies of scale in equipment and installation.
Worked Example: 50kW Hotel
A hotel consuming 25,000 kWh/month pays ~XCD 11,250/month. A 50kW system (~XCD 180,000 installed) generates ~7,300 kWh/month. At 90% self-consumption: ~XCD 2,950/month savings — XCD 35,400/year. Simple payback: 5.1 years. Net savings over 25 years: ~XCD 700,000 at today's rates.
Battery Storage for Backup
Many Antigua businesses run diesel generators for outage backup. Battery storage (LFP, now ~XCD 4,200/kWh installed) eliminates or dramatically reduces generator runtime while providing seamless backup. A 50kWh battery can pay back through fuel savings alone within 8–10 years.
Financing
ECAB commercial solar loans at 8.5–9.5% over 10 years. For most commercial installations, monthly debt service is below monthly energy savings — positive cash flow from payment one.