Puerto Rican Solar Industry Organizes Mutual Aid Shipment to Jamaica
SAN JUAN , PUERTO RICO, October 31, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- In response to Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, Puerto Rican renewable energy companies are organizing a shipment of solar and battery donations to power life-saving response and recovery efforts.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Tuesday, October 29 as the third most powerful Atlantic hurricane ever, and the strongest in Jamaica’s history (since records began in 1851). While damage assessments remain underway, the impact on the energy grid is expected to be catastrophic. As of October 30, over 70% of the island’s grid is down, with expected recovery times ranging from weeks to months.
As the storm bore down on Jamaica Tuesday, renewable industry experts gathered for the first day of the annual SESA Summit in San Juan, run by the Solar & Energy Storage Association of Puerto Rico. Panelists and speakers applauded the recent major advancements made in resilient power infrastructure in Puerto Rico, while recognizing the tragedy engulfing Jamaica.
“SESA was originally founded to help coordinate efforts of solar companies during the blackout that followed Hurricane María. We’re thankful our summit played a role in synergizing the ability of solar companies to more quickly organize a humanitarian response to help Jamaica in their time of need,” said PJ Wilson, co-founder and Executive Director of SESA.
“After everything Puerto Rico went through after Hurricane María, we know how critical it is to have power when the grid fails. That’s why we didn’t hesitate to send batteries to Jamaica—to help keep lights on, medicine cold, and communication lines open. Puerto Rico and Jamaica share not just the same sea, but the same resilience. We’re proud to stand with our Caribbean neighbors in their recovery,” said Enrique González, Owner of Power Solar.
“On behalf of the entire ISO Solar team, we are honored to offer our support to our neighbors and friends in Jamaica during this difficult time. Having lived through the devastation of Hurricane María, we understand firsthand the importance of reliable, renewable energy in moments of crisis. To help strengthen local resilience, we are donating battery systems that can be used to power hospitals, community centers, shelters, and food banks across the island. Our hearts are with the people of Jamaica, and we stand ready to assist in every way we can,” remarked Francisco González Ohárriz, CEO of ISO Solar.
“We are deeply humbled and grateful to shepherd this shipment of critical energy aid to power up first response and community resilience hubs in Jamaica. Puerto Rico leads the world in energy innovation for climate resilience, and the solidarity shown for Jamaica’s situation is profound.” - Will Heegaard, Founding Director of Footprint Project.
The solar mutual aid shipment from Puerto Rico builds upon Footprint Project’s (FPs) initial shipment of 150 solar generators sent Tuesday morning from its headquarters in New Orleans. FP's response team is working with local, regional, and international relief partners to distribute the equipment, and is coordinating with the Jamaica Renewable Energy Association for larger microgrid installations.
To date the group has donated over $110,000 in solar and battery equipment and pledged $20,000, including a special gift of $15,000 from Carmen Jovet announced at the close of the SESA Summit. Solar industry donors so far include: PowerSolar, Iso Solar, GenEra L3C, Unirac, Ecoflow, SunRun, and Tesla.
HOW TO HELP
The growing coalition of renewable energy companies and non-profits across Puerto Rico is collecting unused, turn-key solar and battery equipment donations for rapid deployment to Jamaica. Companies and organizations interested in contributing can contact give@footprintproject.org. Cash donations to support this specific effort can be made at https://www.footprintproject.org .
ABOUT SESA
The Solar and Energy Storage Association (SESA) of Puerto Rico represents Puerto Rico's solar and energy storage industries bringing reliable, clean, affordable and local energy to the entire island. We advocate for solar and storage technologies as a central solution to the energy needs of Puerto Rico, and promote public policy that will benefit the growth of these industries. We bring awareness and understanding of these technologies to both government policymakers and the public, and facilitate collectively beneficial collaboration and good business practices within the industry.
ABOUT FOOTPRINT PROJECT
Footprint Project’s mission is to help build back greener after climate disasters by mobilizing cleaner energy for communities in crisis. We are a non-profit disaster service organization that develops and deploys sustainable infrastructure to empower community resilience. We work across the disaster management cycle to expand frontline access to climate survival technologies and reduce fossil fuel use in the field. Since 2018, we’ve mobilized solar generators to 25+ disaster response and recovery missions, providing emergency power access to 50,000+ people.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Tuesday, October 29 as the third most powerful Atlantic hurricane ever, and the strongest in Jamaica’s history (since records began in 1851). While damage assessments remain underway, the impact on the energy grid is expected to be catastrophic. As of October 30, over 70% of the island’s grid is down, with expected recovery times ranging from weeks to months.
As the storm bore down on Jamaica Tuesday, renewable industry experts gathered for the first day of the annual SESA Summit in San Juan, run by the Solar & Energy Storage Association of Puerto Rico. Panelists and speakers applauded the recent major advancements made in resilient power infrastructure in Puerto Rico, while recognizing the tragedy engulfing Jamaica.
“SESA was originally founded to help coordinate efforts of solar companies during the blackout that followed Hurricane María. We’re thankful our summit played a role in synergizing the ability of solar companies to more quickly organize a humanitarian response to help Jamaica in their time of need,” said PJ Wilson, co-founder and Executive Director of SESA.
“After everything Puerto Rico went through after Hurricane María, we know how critical it is to have power when the grid fails. That’s why we didn’t hesitate to send batteries to Jamaica—to help keep lights on, medicine cold, and communication lines open. Puerto Rico and Jamaica share not just the same sea, but the same resilience. We’re proud to stand with our Caribbean neighbors in their recovery,” said Enrique González, Owner of Power Solar.
“On behalf of the entire ISO Solar team, we are honored to offer our support to our neighbors and friends in Jamaica during this difficult time. Having lived through the devastation of Hurricane María, we understand firsthand the importance of reliable, renewable energy in moments of crisis. To help strengthen local resilience, we are donating battery systems that can be used to power hospitals, community centers, shelters, and food banks across the island. Our hearts are with the people of Jamaica, and we stand ready to assist in every way we can,” remarked Francisco González Ohárriz, CEO of ISO Solar.
“We are deeply humbled and grateful to shepherd this shipment of critical energy aid to power up first response and community resilience hubs in Jamaica. Puerto Rico leads the world in energy innovation for climate resilience, and the solidarity shown for Jamaica’s situation is profound.” - Will Heegaard, Founding Director of Footprint Project.
The solar mutual aid shipment from Puerto Rico builds upon Footprint Project’s (FPs) initial shipment of 150 solar generators sent Tuesday morning from its headquarters in New Orleans. FP's response team is working with local, regional, and international relief partners to distribute the equipment, and is coordinating with the Jamaica Renewable Energy Association for larger microgrid installations.
To date the group has donated over $110,000 in solar and battery equipment and pledged $20,000, including a special gift of $15,000 from Carmen Jovet announced at the close of the SESA Summit. Solar industry donors so far include: PowerSolar, Iso Solar, GenEra L3C, Unirac, Ecoflow, SunRun, and Tesla.
HOW TO HELP
The growing coalition of renewable energy companies and non-profits across Puerto Rico is collecting unused, turn-key solar and battery equipment donations for rapid deployment to Jamaica. Companies and organizations interested in contributing can contact give@footprintproject.org. Cash donations to support this specific effort can be made at https://www.footprintproject.org .
ABOUT SESA
The Solar and Energy Storage Association (SESA) of Puerto Rico represents Puerto Rico's solar and energy storage industries bringing reliable, clean, affordable and local energy to the entire island. We advocate for solar and storage technologies as a central solution to the energy needs of Puerto Rico, and promote public policy that will benefit the growth of these industries. We bring awareness and understanding of these technologies to both government policymakers and the public, and facilitate collectively beneficial collaboration and good business practices within the industry.
ABOUT FOOTPRINT PROJECT
Footprint Project’s mission is to help build back greener after climate disasters by mobilizing cleaner energy for communities in crisis. We are a non-profit disaster service organization that develops and deploys sustainable infrastructure to empower community resilience. We work across the disaster management cycle to expand frontline access to climate survival technologies and reduce fossil fuel use in the field. Since 2018, we’ve mobilized solar generators to 25+ disaster response and recovery missions, providing emergency power access to 50,000+ people.
Devin Williams
Footprint Project
+1 612-293-0591
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