Empowered by Light, Sunrun and Givepower Partner with Firefighters to Deliver Solar and Water Systems to Puerto Rico
October 13 2017 - 8:00AM
Bay Area-based non-profit Empowered by Light is leading an effort
to deliver and install solar micro-grids, water desalination and
purification systems, and water production systems to fire stations
on the hurricane-ravaged island of Puerto Rico. In partnership with
Sunrun—the nation’s largest dedicated residential solar, storage
and energy services company, renewable energy focused non-profit
Givepower, Zero Mass Water and several dedicated individuals,
Empowered by Light organized the deployment in response to news
reports stating that most of the island is still without power, and
more than 50 percent of Puerto Rico is without clean water.
The effort, which was coordinated on the ground in partnership
with San Juan fire chief Alberto Cruz and Las Vegas fire captain
Richard Birt, includes the delivery and installation of
solar-powered micro-grids at two fire stations on the island, as
well as the deployment of three solar-powered water desalination
systems, five innovative water production systems, and three
portable solar-powered units to remote communities on the
island.
The first solar system, a 4kW solar array with battery storage,
was installed yesterday at the Barrio Obrero fire station in San
Juan. The second installation is planned for today at another local
fire station. The water desalination and purification systems will
be deployed over the next several days.
“It appears the federal emergency response is focused on diesel
to repower the island,” said Marco Krapels, co-founder of
Empowered by Light, who spearheaded the effort. “We wanted
to demonstrate with real projects--with immediate impact, that
renewable energy technology is available now and it’s a much more
resilient alternative to diesel.”
“Our hearts go out to the millions affected by recent
hurricanes, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to provide quick
relief in Puerto Rico,” said Lynn Jurich, co-founder and
CEO of Sunrun. “Unfortunately, extreme weather events will
continue to impact the communities where we live. In the wake of
recovery, it’s critical to rebuild smarter with resilient,
distributed power like rooftop solar and storage.”
Empowered by Light advisor, actor and activist Mark Ruffalo, who
supported the effort, commented, “Energy from the sun and wind are
abundant, and can be used to power Puerto Rico. I think renewable
energy solutions should be integrated into any emergency relief
effort.”
Empowered by Light is a 501©3 non-profit that has developed
solar projects in seven countries, helping school-age children
study better and longer, and powering conservation centers, ranger
stations and indigenous communities in ecologically sensitive areas
of the world. For more information about Empowered by Light, visit
https://www.empoweredbylight.org/
Sunrun (Nasdaq:RUN) is the nation’s largest dedicated
residential solar, storage and energy services company with a
mission to create a planet run by the sun. Since establishing the
solar as a service model in 2007, Sunrun leads the industry in
providing clean energy to homeowners with little to no upfront cost
and at a savings to traditional electricity. The company also
offers Sunrun BrightBox™ solar power generation with smart inverter
technology and home battery storage. For more information, please
visit: www.sunrun.com.
Givepower is a 501(C)3 non-profit focused on clean energy
technologies that has provided clean energy access to communities
around the world. For more information about Givepower, visit
http://givepower.org/
For further information Moira Hanes Empowered
by Light +1 415-488-7031moira@empoweredbylight.org
Georgia DempseySunrun +1
415-518-9418georgia.dempsey@sunrun.comsunrun@highwirepr.com
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