A Puerto Rican town is making strong progress towards solar independence, according to the Guardian.
The community of Adjuntas is home to Casa Pueblo, an independent cultural center founded in 1980. It has since taken on environmental causes, including the launch of an educational program in 2013. In 2023, Casa Pueblo launched a community solar energy program. The five microgrids under this program now collectively generate 228 kilowatts of energy capacity and storage to local homes and businesses.
Puerto Rico's grid has been hobbled since a pair of hurricanes, Irma and Maria, hammered the territory in 2017. Utility privatization, political corruption, and challenging geography have all played roles in the slow recovery of the grid.
That said, energy independence remains core to Casa Pueblo's values.
"Energy security intersects with all elements of society: education, food security, health, entertainment, social justice, local economies," said Casa Pueblo's Arturo Massol Deyá, per the Guardian. "We view energy security as a basic human right."
Large-scale solar is a key to a more resilient and equitable society. By bringing costs down and ensuring stability with adequate energy storage, solar power is able to palpably improve the quality of life.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. |
Best of all, it displaces fossil fuel energy sources, which are a primary driver of atmospheric pollution and the destructive weather patterns it stokes. The storms that had ravaged Puerto Rico's grid in the first place are fine examples. Still, the increasing damage from floods and droughts is widespread, resulting in agricultural failures and home insurance crises worldwide.
By 2050, Puerto Rico hopes to produce all of its energy from renewable sources, thanks to projects like Casa Pueblo's, and federal funding has been put forward to make that happen.
"We call it the living lab," said Massol Deyá, per the Guardian. "We are actively gaining knowledge that will be helping others improve design for renewable energy transitions."
If you're interested in getting solar panels on your roof, EnergySage has a free online tool that can connect homeowners with vetted local installers. These experts can tap into rebates and credits, knocking up to $10,000 off the cost, but those incentives are only available until the end of the year. It's best to jump on the savings while they're still around.
TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight
💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands
Plus, going solar makes running your home's electric appliances, including money-saving heat pumps, even cheaper. For those interested in upgrading their HVACs, check out Mitsubishi's line of mini-split heat pumps.
|
Should the government continue to give tax incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Absolutely 💯 
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
