Empowered by Light, Sunrun & Givepower Partner With Firefighters To Deliver Solar & Water Systems To Puerto Rico

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Aid and recovery efforts continue for Puerto Rico. Disheartening news is that more than 50% of Puerto Rico is without clean water in mid-October. Puerto Rico is storm battered from Hurricane Maria, a more extensive human crisis than even Hurricane Katrina created. Stepping in to hasten recovery is a Bay Area–based nonprofit in collaboration with other helping arms.

Empowered by Light, Sunrun, and Givepower are responding to the need by focusing on compassionate, long-term response and environmentally friendly solutions.

Sunrun, Empowered by Light, and Givepower are already providing clean energy technologies that have provided clean energy access to other communities in need around the world. Their work is in motion presently in Puerto Rico. Progressing emergency relief even for remote areas is possible as Sunrun also collaborates with fire stations in Puerto Rico.

It’s good to know in a troubled world that takes so much from the needy there’s also some balance remaining in the compassion of more privileged humans. There are many who are doing good and bringing help to those who need it.

“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,” a press release states.

“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. In fact, the combination of effort will deliver and install solar micro-grids, water desalination, and purification systems, and water production systems to fire stations for the dangerously dehydrated on the hurricane-ravaged island of Puerto Rico.”

“The first solar system, a 4kW solar array with battery storage, was installed at the Barrio Obrero fire station in San Juan. The second installation is planned and active 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,” said Lynn Jurich, co-founder and CEO of Sunrun. “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. 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.”

Continual thanks to Mark Ruffalo, who adds his intelligence and notoriety to so many environmental, social, and humane goals. Fame is a blessing only if it helps empower humanity. “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 an emergency relief effort.’”

Related Stories:

A Response To “A Call For Help For Puerto Rico”

Elon Musk Is Only Somewhat Right That Tesla’s Solar & Storage Can Scale To Rebuild Puerto Rico’s Grid

Hurricanes Clear The Way For Tesla To Power Puerto Rico & The Caribbean

Power Puerto Rico Just Recovery Resilient Rebuild

Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello Tweets To Elon Musk For Help, Elon Sends Troops (#ElonTweets)


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Cynthia Shahan

Cynthia Shahan, started writing after previously doing research and publishing work on natural birth practices. Words can be used improperly depending on the culture you are in. (Several unrelated publications) She has a degree in Education, Anthropology, Creative Writing, and was tutored in Art as a young child thanks to her father the Doctor. Pronouns: She/Her

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