Empowered By Light

Puerto Rico woke this morning to a massive blackout. As of 10AM ET, only 13% of utility customers in Puerto Rico had power--approximately 182,000 out of 1.4 million customers. As for New Year's celebrations, Luma Energy thinks it will be 24 to 48 hours before power is restores and many residents think that's overly optimistic. Luckily, the fire stations, community centers, elderly care homes and children's homes we've powered with solar energy and batteries for energy storage can continue to operate. In fact, COREFI, the direct services organization on the island of Vieques that we powered with solar+storage earlier this year, has invited community members to come to their building to charge their phones and other devices. Now that's the power of renewable energy! https://lnkd.in/g8ARUpzq

Empowered by Light: 2024 Year in Review This year, we continued bringing clean, resilient energy and sustainable solutions to vulnerable communities around the globe. Here’s a recap of what we achieved together in 2024: Puerto Rico Projects - Community Centers (Barrio Cubuy de Naguabo, Naguabo | Comunidad Las Ochentas Unidas, Salinas | Unidos por la Comunidad Arenas, Guánica): We installed solar + energy storage systems at three community centers. These centers now serve as emergency shelters and community kitchens, remaining powered during outages. Resilient energy = resilient communities! - COREFI, Vieques: We provided a solar + storage system to ensure this vital organization can continue delivering food and care to the homeless and elderly. - Workforce Development Pilot Program: We were part of a team that trained the next generation of solar professionals with a Solar Installation Basics course, paving the way for a greener workforce. Africa Projects - St. Thomas Community School, Zambia: A solar + storage system now powers eight classrooms, two dining halls, and three teachers’ homes, supporting 400 students and six teachers with reliable energy for learning and living. - Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe: With severe droughts drying watering holes, our battery systems for two solar-powered water pumps are keeping these vital water sources filled, helping wildlife survive. - Bochura Village, Kenya: Over 600 people now have access to clean water thanks to a solar-powered pump, reducing the risks and effort associated with water collection. - Kashiki Village, Zambia: We dug a borehole and installed a solar-powered water pump, storage tank, and irrigation system, providing safe water access and supporting food security and economic development for 56 families. None of this would be possible without YOU—our incredible supporters and partners. Together, we’re creating brighter futures and helping those on the frontline of climate change. Let’s keep the momentum going! Visit https://lnkd.in/d57ebcrw to support projects like these and bring solar power where it’s needed most. #MakeADifference #EmpoweredbyLight #EmpowerChange #SolarEnergy

You still have time to make an impact before the year ends. Donate to Empowered by Light and help bring solar energy to schools, community centers, and vulnerable communities around the world. Every gift makes a difference by promoting clean, reliable, renewable solar energy. Donate now: https://lnkd.in/d57ebcrw #MakeADifference #EmpowerChange #SolarEnergy #CleanEnergy

Earlier this month we completed the installation of solar + storage at a series of 3 community centers in Puerto Rico. For this project we teamed up with Canadian Solar Inc. and their EP Cube batteries, as well as with local installer Solar Technologies. We received a donation of solar panels from CED Greentech for each of the centers.

Meet the team behind Empowered by Light! Our team isn’t just passionate about renewable energy, we’re passionate about using renewable energy to positively impact vulnerable communities. Moira Hanes – Our Executive Director and Co-Founder has over 20 years of nonprofit board experience and a decade-plus career in corporate communications. She works to increase energy access, displace diesel, and build resilience in vulnerable communities, and she's also passionate about health, wellness, and wildlife. Cámilie Rivera-Dueño – Leads our programs in Puerto Rico and Latin America. Her 20+ years of experience range from working in state and federal government to championing women and adoption. She also has experience in communications and is an environmental educator. Oscar Ruíz – Our Operations Director has over a decade of military experience as well as years in nonprofit leadership positions. He’s deployed emergency resilient solar systems across ten Caribbean islands and continues to light the way for underserved communities. Together, we’re on a mission to light up lives with clean energy and empower communities. #EmpoweredbyLight #EmpowerChange #MakeADifference

2024 Recap: Empowering Puerto Rico with Solar Energy! This year, we continue our commitment to Puerto Rico by providing clean, resilient energy to vulnerable communities! Here’s a quick look at what we accomplished together: - 3 Community Centers (Cubuy, Naguabo | Las 80, Salinas | Arenas, Guanica) In partnership with Canadian Solar Inc., Solar Technology, and CED Greentech Puerto Rico, we installed solar + energy storage systems at 3 community centers across the island. These centers can now serve as emergency shelters and community kitchens, staying powered during outages. Resilient energy = resilient communities! - COREFI (Vieques) We provided a solar + energy storage system to this essential organization providing food and care to the homeless and elderly in Vieques, ensuring support reaches the most vulnerable. - Workforce Development Pilot Program We partnered with GRID Alternatives to train the next generation of solar professionals! This pilot program taught Solar Installation Basics to create pathways for a greener workforce. None of this would be possible without YOU. Our supporters and partners are driving real change—and we’re just getting started. Let’s keep the momentum going! Visit https://lnkd.in/d57ebcrw to support more projects like these and bring solar power where it’s needed most. #PuertoRico #EmpoweredByLight #CleanEnergy #2024Impact #solarpower #solarenergy #cleanenergy #MakeADifference #EmpowerChange

Thank you OpenSolar for your support of Empowered by Light year after year.

Did you know that many companies have matching gifts programs, but most of their employees may not know about it? This benefit enables you to double your donations to your favorite organizations. Reach out to your HR Department today and find out if your company offers matching gift benefits. This one action can double your impact and help us with our mission to assist vulnerable communities through renewable energy. #MatchingGifts #ChangeMakers #EmployeeEngagement #EmpowerChange

Last week we had the pleasure of installing our final project of the year in Puerto Rico, a solar energy + storage system at the Unidos por Arenas Community Center in Guanica. This center serves a low-income community that was near the epicenter of the 2020 earthquakes, it was impacted by hurricanes María and Fiona and is considered a “Last Mile Community” by the DOE, which means it suffers from frequent blackouts. “This installation will be of great benefit to the residents of our Arenas Community. We are transforming this space into an emergency center with a community dining room, a refrigerator to refrigerate medications during emergencies, and spaces to charge medical, work and study equipment, cell phones, and others. We thank Empowered By Light for the efforts made to obtain the donation and the installation of this solar energy system in Arenas.” Luis Omar García, President of Unidos por Arenas. This project is the third of its kind we’ve made with the support of Solar Technology Puerto Rico, Canadian Solar Inc., and a generous donation of solar panels from CED Greentech PR. Together, we’re building a more resilient, sustainable future! #solarpower #solarenergy #cleanenergy #renewableenergy #empowerment #resilience #socialjustice #EmpoweredByLight #MakeADifference #EmpowerChange