NEWS

ReVision Energy bringing solar to Puerto Rico

Brentwood company looks to help devastated island

Hadley Barndollar hbarndollar@seacoastonline.com
Phil Coupe, co-founder of ReVision Energy, said the company is part of an initiative to bring dozens of portable solar energy systems to Puerto Rico as about half of the island remains without power since the Sept. 20 hurricane. [Courtesy photo]

BRENTWOOD — A local solar installer is part of an initiative to bring dozens of desperately needed portable solar energy systems to power devastated areas of Puerto Rico post-hurricane.

ReVision Energy in Brentwood is partnering with Amicus Solar Cooperative, a nationwide purchasing cooperative of solar energy companies, and Amurtel, a nonprofit working in disaster relief. Millions living in Puerto Rico still remain without power following Hurricane Maria. After the hurricane swept through the island Sept. 20, 3.6 million people were left without power. About half of the island still remains without power.

In addition to lack of power, many are still without passable roads, access to clean drinking water, in need of basic supplies and are unable to receive medical care.

ReVision has secured the solar panels that will build up to 100 portable emergency power units to power communications systems, computer, laptops, cellphones and lighting for areas that are expected to see power last.

"Our approach to business is to try to create maximum positive impact in the world rather than maximizing shareholder returns," said ReVision co-founder Phil Coupe. "When this Puerto Rico disaster occurred and news of the devastation to the utility grid became more widespread, people in the solar community said what a great opportunity to rebuild a grid that is focused on solar energy."

Coupe is the company's volunteer coordinator with Amicus and Amurtel, which has been on the ground in Puerto Rico since the hurricane hit.

"Someone said why don't we join forces to come up with a response from the solar industry to answer the suffering in Puerto Rico," he said. "It seemed like a no-brainer. These are fellow human beings, fellow Americans. Puerto Rico was in a terrible financial spot before this happened and now they've just been demolished."

Coupe said the solar units are highly mobile and can be pulled by a pick-up truck. Since they run on sunshine, he said, they are highly reliable.

ReVision hopes to start building the first batch of units next week, taking 10 days to build. Amurtel already has a supply chain identified to get the units to Puerto Rico, Coupe said.

"It's just another example of trying to do the right thing," he said. "Lord knows this world needs a lot more of that across the board, whether it's disaster relief or general humanitarian actions."

The units will be loaned to the communities for the duration of their need and then be redeployed to other disaster areas as needs and events dictate.

For more information, email Coupe at phil@revisionenergy.com or call (207) 232-6595.