Isabela

After Hurricane Sandy, Walter Meyer and Jen Bolstad built emergency solar arrays to provide power to the Rockaways during a month-long blackout. When Hurricane Maria destroyed the grid in Puerto Rico, they wanted to help the island they consider a second home transform and use solar. Walter's father, Thomas, who has lived in Isabela for decades, turned his B&B into Solar Libre headquarters, housing brigades of volunteer solar installers, storing literal tons of donated solar panels, and becoming the classroom for an industry-standard training program for island residents to be solar installers. Solar Libre has installed hundreds of solar power systems throughout rural parts of the island and addresses the gender divide in renewable energy by recruiting young women for the training program.

Salinas

Southeastern Puerto Rico residents battled toxic waste from two nearby power plants for years before Hurricane Maria. Their environmental campaigns grew into a group — El Coquí Solar — advocating for community solar to provide clean power and save families money. After Hurricane Maria, they finally had the resources to start this program and also helped found the first island-wide coalition for solar, “Queremos Sol,” (“We Want Solar”) a detailed vision to transform the island to 100% clean energy. Featuring Ruth Santiago, an environmental lawyer, who shares their story.

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