St. Maarten Private Eye

Two money making green ideas for the developers of Indigo Bay, for free.

For between $6,000 to $10,000 per home, each could have solar cells built into their roofs. These could be connected to the grid and you could boost the asking price another $15,000.

The solar power will sell your houses for you, people want the opportunity to be greener without too much effort, energy savings are also appealing. Include the maintenance of these solar systems into the estate bylaws and management, with a monthly fee.

Please see this video and this website. California alone is planning to turn 1 million homes solar over the next two years. It is possible some EU funds could even be found too, there is lots of money floating around looking for clean energy projects.

Secondly, make recycling and seperation of garbage part of the estate's policies, provide each home with 2 or 3 bins and put in place central garbage collection program. Charge a small monthly fee, even if the island does not as yet have any recycling, you would be setting an example to follow.

Both of these ideas are financially viable and can be profitable for the estate management company. (Assuming there will be one, or a Residents Association).

Show some real vision please Indigo. We would like you to be green, it's doesn't have to cost you to be green, all it takes is your willingness to explore the possibilities that are out there.

Caribdude