Hurricane relief: Call for solar and energy storage donations

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
A sign warns of the coming Hurricane Irma at Coast Guard Sector San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 6 September 2017. Image: U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Lally.

US trade association groups, the Energy Storage Association and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), have called on their respective industries to assist hurricane relief efforts in the US and its territories.

ESA said the energy storage industry has a “unique opportunity” to assist storm-hit regions after Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck during September and said equipment donations would be sought, as well as volunteers to give up their time to help.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The obvious angle is that in many of these communities, power is already expensive and in many cases grids and distribution lines were damaged. Solar-plus-storage could be deployed in place of traditional “hub and spoke” generation and distribution from central power plants.

The electrical grid in Puerto Rico, for instance, could take an estimated four to six months to get back online. Various outlets have reported that several solar and storage companies are talking with Puerto Rico’s administration to see what could be done. Energy-Storage.News has also just reported on two lithium battery energy storage systems deployed in the Dominican Republic by AES, which the storage provider said continued to function effectively throughout the Irma and Maria hurricanes.  

ESA said its solar counterpart requested the energy storage group get involved with SEIA’s own efforts. The solar group is already working with US Federal Agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Army Corps, as well as ALANaid (American Logistics Aid Network), which co-ordinates humanitarian relief work.

The trade association said it is continuing to develop necessary partnerships and coordinate with agencies on the ground and also wants to hear from any organisations that have already made donations, which SEIA said it would share information on with policymakers and other stakeholders.  

Interested parties should contact SEIA via the form on this link, where they can detail the ways in which they might be able to help.

Read Next

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
April 10, 2024
Dallas, Texas USA
Solar Media Events
April 17, 2024
Lisbon, Portugal
Solar Media Events
May 1, 2024
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
May 21, 2024
Napa, USA