
December 26, 2023
Portal de Amor Welcomes Christmas
with Reliable Solar and Energy Storage for Its Children
Sunnova Energy, Windmar Foundation, and Empowered by Light illuminate this
children’s home in San Germán, Puerto Rico with reliable, renewable energy.
December 26, 2023 – In a collaborative effort to bring sustainable and reliable energy to vulnerable populations in Puerto Rico, Sunnova Energy, Windmar Foundation, and Empowered by Light have joined forces to donate a solar energy and storage system to Portal de Amor Children's Home in San Germán, Puerto Rico.
Portal de Amor Children's Home has been caring for some of Puerto Rico’s most vulnerable children since 1994. Now, they can care for them with a solar energy and storage system that will not only provide a reliable power source for lighting and electronic devices, but will also eliminate the challenges posed by the island’s frequent power outages. This will ensure that the children live in a well-lit and secure environment and away from the darkness they may have experienced in the past.
This important project brought together Empowered by Light, a nonprofit organization who identified the need, Sunnova, who generously donated the system, and Windmar Foundation who donated the design and installation of the system, which is composed of 25 kilowatts of solar and 3 Tesla Powerwalls, for a total of 40.5 kWh of storage.
"It’s wonderful to see this project come to fruition and the impact it will have on the children at Portal de Amor,” said Karla Zambrana-Melendez, General Manager, Puerto Rico at Sunnova. “This system of 71 solar panels and 3 Tesla PW2 batteries means Portal de Amor will no longer be at the mercy of high electricity costs and recurring power grid outages, and they will no longer need to rely on backup fossil-fuel generators to keep the lights on. We’re proud to power this great organization’s energy independence in San Germán.” Added Zambrana-Melendez, “We’re grateful to work with Empowered By Light on yet another incredible project, and we are so thankful for the continued support of Windmar, one of our trusted dealers in Puerto Rico, who did the design and installation of the system."
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“We are thrilled to be here to help the children and caretakers of Portal de Amor in San Germán, Puerto Rico through the Windmar Foundation. We believe that all Puerto Ricans deserve safe, clean, and stable energy. Therefore, we are excited to work in partnership with Empowered by Light and Sunnova as we share the same vision while inspiring others to accomplish our mission.” Said Camille Díaz, Communications Manager of Windmar.
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Empowered by Light Co-Founder and Executive Director, Moira Hanes, added, "Our mission is to empower vulnerable communities using renewable energy technologies, and this collaboration exemplifies the positive change that can be achieved when organizations come together for a common purpose. The children at Portal de Amor have already endured so much, and we want to make sure they have light in their lives even when the power grid fails."
The collaborative effort of Sunnova Energy, Windmar Foundation, and Empowered by Light serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the transformative potential of clean energy solutions for vulnerable communities.
About Sunnova Energy
Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NYSE: NOVA) is a leading energy service provider with customers across the U.S. and its territories. Sunnova's goal is to be the source of clean, affordable and reliable energy with a simple mission: to power energy independence so that homeowners have the freedom to live life uninterrupted®.
For more information, please visit sunnova.com
About Windmar Foundation
The Windmar Foundation was created with the mission to educate people about renewable energy. We believe it is vital to appreciate the great potential of the sun to supply energy and address the significant need for energy stability in Puerto Rico. Likewise, we work to positively impact communities by providing tools that allow them to recognize solar energy as an inexhaustible resource of sustainable energy compared to the unsustainability of fossil fuels. Through our work we raise awareness that the use of photovoltaic solar systems contributes to the conservation of our Planet Earth.
About Empowered by Light
Empowered by Light is a U.S. 501(c)3 organization empowering vulnerable communities on the frontlines of climate change, wildlife loss and environmental devastation. EBL has completed more than 80 solar and energy storage projects in nine countries--including more than 20 in Puerto Rico. EBL’s projects are helping school-age children study better, supporting conservation and wildlife protection efforts, and building more resilient communities. Visit empoweredbylight.org to learn more.
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