Improving Energy Access in Puerto Rico

Let's Share the Sun has begun work on its next project, a series of residential solar installations in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Residents of the island territory have only tenuous access to electrical power through the grid. Nearly three quarters of the electrical power for the island is generated from petroleum, all of which is imported to the island. Natural disasters such as the earthquakes in 2020 and Hurricane Maria in 2017 have further weakened the grid infrastructure. All of this adds up to near-daily outages and regular surges in prices. The mountain community of Adjuntas is especially vulnerable to these factors, as 62% of their people live below the poverty line, and many of them are ailing and elderly, living in households with limited income.

Our project in Adjuntas will alleviate these problems by installing solar arrays and backup batteries in select homes with critical energy and medical needs. Recipients have reported they spend hundreds on their monthly electricity, not including their backup generators which are used as frequently as twice a week. This high cost and intermittency are especially concerning for residents with in-home medical equipment such as dialysis machines, oxygen systems, refrigerated medications, and electronic beds. With energy costs this high and the lives of community members at stake, the new solar installations will save residents money and drastically reduce their risk of medical problems resulting from a power outage.  Use the link below to help support this latest effort!