Grenada — the Spice Isle — has set one of the most ambitious renewable energy targets in the Eastern Caribbean: 100% renewable electricity by 2030. The Grenada Electricity Services (GRENLEC) operates a grid powered predominantly by diesel, with electricity rates of approximately EC$0.38–0.46/kWh. With 4.8 peak sun hours per day and a government committed to the renewable transition, the solar opportunity in Grenada is large and growing rapidly.

GRENLEC Rates and Net Metering

GRENLEC's current net metering program allows residential systems up to 10kW to receive bill credits for exported energy at a rate set periodically by the Public Utilities Commission. The program has been operational since 2015 — making Grenada one of the pioneer net metering jurisdictions in the OECS. GRENLEC's cooperative stance toward distributed solar has been a key enabler of the relatively high per-capita solar adoption rate that Grenada has achieved compared to some neighbors.

XCD System Economics

At Grenada's average residential rate of EC$0.42/kWh, a 5kW system generating 17,000 kWh per year saves approximately EC$7,140 annually. At a fully installed cost of approximately XCD 40,000–47,000, payback is 5.6–6.6 years. GRENLEC's 10kW cap (double Antigua's proposed 5kW limit) allows larger households to size more appropriately, improving economics for high-consumption homes. A 10kW system (installed ~XCD 78,000) saves approximately EC$14,280/year — payback under 5.5 years with exceptional lifetime economics.

Commercial Solar at Scale

Grenada's tourism and hospitality sector has been an early mover on commercial solar. Several major Grenada hotels and resorts have installed systems in the 25–100kW range, achieving payback periods of 4–6 years on XCD investments of EC$92,000–EC$370,000. The combination of Grenada's high commercial electricity rates, favorable solar resource, and GRENLEC's cooperative approach creates a compelling commercial solar environment. The government's 100% renewable target by 2030 creates regulatory pressure that further supports commercial investment.

The Path to 100% Renewable

Reaching 100% renewable electricity requires more than rooftop solar — it requires utility-scale generation, grid-scale storage, and smart grid management. Grenada is pursuing a combination of additional wind capacity, expanded rooftop solar, and battery storage to achieve its target. The IDB and CDB have both provided technical assistance and financing for this transition. For individual property owners and businesses, the policy environment in Grenada is one of the most supportive in the Eastern Caribbean — making the present a favorable time to invest in solar before any potential changes to net metering terms.