Avoiding Hurricane Blackouts

Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico earlier this week, leaving more than a million residents without power. But some still had power—those with generators, and those with solar panels.

Nery Torres is grateful to be among the latter. Because of solar panels, and a non-profit called Casa Pueblo which installed them, Torres’ daughter was able to have her life-saving dialysis this week.

In recent years Casa Pueblo has installed home solar energy systems in more than 100 homes and 50 businesses in Puerto Rico. They are not alone. Nearly 20% of Puerto Rican fire stations have solar energy thanks to a non-profit called Solar Responders. [1]

Individuals and businesses in Puerto Rico are installing solar energy at the rate of about 2,800 new solar installations each month. In fact, the island is 9^th on a list of the top ten places in the United States with the most home solar panel installations per capita. But after Fiona, many Puerto Ricans want the government to help the island to go all-in on solar. And no wonder. According to a preliminary study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Puerto Rico could use solar panels to generate more than four times as much energy as it consumes, due to the generous amount of sunlight the island receives.

Government involvement will probably be necessary, because the cost of solar panels is beyond the financial reach of most Puerto Ricans. Solar panel installation costs between $10,000 and $12,000 in San Juan, whereas median income is only about $21,000.

If we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, solar energy needs to be part of the solution.

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[1] This blog entry was based in part on the article, “Solar Power is Helping Some Puerto Rico Homes Avoid Hurricane Fiona Blackouts,” by Mariah Espada, dated 9-20-22, found at: https://time.com/6215138/solar-power-puerto-rico-hurricane-fiona/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sfmc&utm_campaign=newsletter+climate+default+all&utm_content=+++20220922+++body&et_rid=209361349&lctg=209361349.