PV Squared Joins 42 Solar Companies to Bring Power to Puerto Rico

GREENFIELD — On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, spreading devastation and ruin throughout the island. Thousands of Puerto Ricans were, and continue to be, without power or access to clean drinking water. Forced to drink water from contaminated rivers and streams, the island residents have been at risk of serious illnesses.

Additionally, the prolonged power outage has left people without a way to charge their phones and computers, resulting in disconnection and isolation from their families, work, and aid information. One way to solve these ongoing problems caused by Hurricane Maria is by bringing solar power to the island.

PV Squared, a Greenfield-based solar company, is a member of the Amicus Solar Cooperative, a member-owned cooperative comprised of 43 solar companies. Together, Amicus and Amurtel, a nonprofit providing disaster relief, have taken on the project of bringing solar power to Puerto Rico, dubbing the project Power On Puerto Rico.

PV Squared joined the volunteer effort of designing and constructing solar outreach systems (SOS) to be sent down to the island. As described by Amicus, “each portable SOS is comprised of an enclosed trailer which can be pulled by a pickup truck. [They are] outfitted with six exterior solar panels, eight gel-storage batteries, and 15 lockers each with two USB ports and an electrical power outlet, providing 300 to 400 continuous watts of power. This will enable 15 phones and five laptops to be powered at a time. The trailer has a fold-down bench with a water-purification system which can purify up to 600 gallons of clean, potable water a day.”

The first three solar outreach systems have been completed and are at the Jacksonville port, ready to ship to the island. A total of 100 units will be constructed and transported throughout this project with the help of donations and volunteer efforts.