By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent
Yesterday, the Solar and Energy Storage Association of Puerto Rico (SESA-PR) joined the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) as an affiliate member. We wanted to find out what role solar electricity is playing in rebuilding the island’s electrical infrastructure after it was devastated by Hurricane Maria more than a year ago, and what inspired them to join SEIA as an affiliate. We talked with spokesman PJ Wilson to find out.
SolarWakeu0 (SW): What role has solar played in restoring electricity on the island since Maria?
PJ Wilson, SESA-PR (Wilson): Solar has played a role in Puerto Rico in a few important ways. Solar-powered water pumps and large-scale batteries provided water to many communities across the island. Solar and battery systems were able to restore power to many fire stations, clinics and hospitals. Municipalities installed solar-powered street lights. And during the blackout, more than 10,000 homes added solar and storage.
SW: What do you think the future potential for solar is for Puerto Rico?
Wilson: If we’re able to get effective policies, incentives, and financing mechanisms in place, then we’ll see billions of dollars in residential, commercial, utility-scale and microgrid solar projects over the next few years.
The CEO of PREPA has announced a goal of getting to 40% renewable energy within five years, and last month the Senate passed a sweeping energy reform bill that would require Puerto Rico to get 100% of its power from renewables by 2050.
SW: What led you to become a SEIA affiliate at this particular point in time?
Wilson: Right now we’re on the cusp of a lot of different factors that could accelerate the solar + storage industry in 2019, and many of them have a lot to do with federal funding and federal agencies. While SESA focuses mostly on policy advocacy, local incentive program design, and facilitating actual solar projects moving forward quickly in Puerto Rico, our friends at SEIA are able to provide important insight to federal issues, which is their forte.
SW: What do you think SESA-PR brings to SEIA?
Wilson: Puerto Rico is an exciting Petri dish of what’s possible in the realm of utilizing solar and storage technology that’s more advanced and costs less than it ever has before. As the industry tries new approaches in Puerto Rico, lessons learned will be shared more broadly because of our affiliation with SEIA.
SW: What can SEIA bring to you?
Wilson: SEIA has a long track record of success nationally in fostering the solar industry, and they’ve also supported the development of many local affiliates around the nation. Their breadth of experience in both areas helps SESA develop more quickly and effectively.
Also, Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. Territory means that their relationship with the federal government is unique, so locally the affiliation adds a valuable badge of credibility to SESA.
SW: What role will energy storage play in restoring power to the devastated Puerto Rican grid?
Wilson: After Hurricane Maria, it because obvious that storage has become an essential component of any solar project on the island. While it will take years for the modernization of the overall electric grid, storage adds the element of converting solar power into a clean, reliable source of energy 24/7. Especially after experiencing the impacts of the longest blackout in the history of the nation, Puerto Rico homes, businesses, neighborhoods and entire towns are hungry to install solar systems with onsite storage that will keep the lights on during the next inevitable power outages.
SW: What would you like the outside world to know about solar development in Puerto Rico?
Wilson: The outside world should know that Puerto Rico is ready for the solar and storage companies on the island to keep blossoming, and that there’s plenty of room for new companies to enter the market. They should also know that SESA is here to help companies get established in the market.