In March of 2019, The MREA partnered with the City of Madison and North Wind Renewable Energy Cooperative to conduct a solar installation and training for the municipality of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.

There were six municipal employees and six technical college faculty and students that participated, and the training was a great success. Working with donated funds and materials we were able to execute a six-day advanced level training that combined classroom presentation with hands-on installation experience. This resulted in a ballasted 8.4 kW grid-tied PV system installed on the Candelaria Community Center and will serve as a stepping stone for further municipal solar installations and trainings. We are now working on Phase II – integrating batteries into the system in late summer, before hurricane season.

The Candelaria Community Center (CCC) was chosen by the Mayor’s team because it serves as temporary disaster relief shelter and contains emergency supplies, as the building is positioned high enough to have stayed safe from the flooding that damaged Toa Baja immediately following Hurricane Maria.  The solar power will not only reduce the operating costs of the building but will also provide back-up power as they are looking to set up an emergency command center there that will be powered by the solar array and battery backup.

We are able to sponsor a delegation of participants from Puerto Rico to come to The Energy Fair to network, fundraise, and absorb some of the good energy!

We are working with the municipality of Toa Baja to identify the site of the next training. Once we know the site we will design the system, spec out all components, and develop a budget to make Phase III happen – PV with Batteries Installation and Training #2.   

NEXT STEPS:

• Secure funding for installing batteries at Candelaria Community Center and for the next system. Battery installation at CCC.
• Work with the municipality of Toa Baja to identify site for the next PV installation – Phase III.
• Complete funding for Phase III – solar electric system with battery backup.
• Install that system as part of a training in winter of 2019-2020.
• Continue this partnership with more trainings and installations…

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