Impact Spotlight

Puerto Rico’s first community-owned microgrid

187 kW solar microgrid powering 13 small businesses

1.1 MW of storage for up to 10 days of off-grid energy access

About

In response to a proposed open-pit mine in their hometown of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, husband and wife Alexis Massol and Tinti Deyá gathered community members to oppose the mining and the destruction it would bring to their small, mountain community. Casa Pueblo emerged from this resistance, and over the past forty years has grown into a hub for resilience, education, and environmental advocacy. Housed in a building completely run by solar power since 1999, Casa Pueblo is an outspoken advocate for solar energy's ability to reduce environmental impact and improve human lives.

Rivian’s battery system was designed to confront climate change throughout its entire life cycle. Powering a vehicle is just the beginning. In partnership with Alex Honnold and the Honnold Foundation, we’re proud to leverage the batteries from some of our development vehicles to support community-based organization Casa Pueblo in their efforts to create a self-sustaining solar microgrid in Puerto Rico. Check us out: https://www.rivian.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rivianoffic... Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rivian Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rivianofficial/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rivian About: Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. We believe there is a more responsible way to explore the world and are determined to make the transition to sustainable transportation an exciting one. We designed our emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles to challenge what’s possible. We hope they inspire you to do the same. The Power Of Second Life Batteries | Sustainability | Rivian

“Energy independence means sustainability for the island. It means economic activation and reducing our ecological footprint.”

— Dr. Arturo Massol-Deyá, Casa Pueblo Associate Director

HF Partnership

The Honnold Foundation worked with Casa Pueblo to design and build Puerto Rico’s first cooperatively managed, community-owned solar microgrid. The microgrid is owned and managed by its own local nonprofit entity, ACESA, and will provide clean, reliable power to 13 Adjuntas small businesses, and set a precedent for energy access throughout Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

Read more about the Microgrid in TIME Magazine and Grist.