U.S. residential market not as interested in energy monitoring as recession foes linger.

Google has announced they will retire its PowerMeter on September 16, while Microsoft has shifted their attention to commercial applications. Although it would seem reasonable for a nation suffering through a mayor economic downturn for the past few years to embrace money and energy saving technologies, the reality proves otherwise. Despite all the Federal and local financial incentives, the deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation has been slower than anticipated.

The electric rates in the U.S. Virgin Islands are the highest in the U.S. and the rest of the world except for Tonga ($0.59 / kwh) and Manila ($0.90 / kwh), and you thought you had it bad. Virgin Islanders complain about electric rates every day, yet most don't know how much power they use in a month. Electricity consumption / generation monitoring is similar to keeping track of cell phone usage or grocery shopping, the difference lays in that is is not a habit yet. If you have a chance today look for your WAPA bill today and post a comment with your average daily consumption.