Can solar power help Puerto Rico achieve energy independence and resilience?

The Puerto Rican islands of Vieques and Culebra will study the feasibility of achieving energy independence and resilience using rooftop and community solar power. DOE partners with these islands to provide renewable energy.

Can a small island generate solar power?

Larger islands have the potential to generate hydro power—Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Samoa, and Vanuatu. The viability of solar power is limited on smaller islands due to land scarcity. However, an uptake of rooftop solar and/or offshore wind could be feasible.

Does solar make sense in island conditions?

Solar just makes sense in island conditions. Dependence on imported fuels, high electricity costs, increasingly devastating storms, and an urgent need for improved grid resiliency makes solar a clear choice for island nations and territories over the world. Solar just makes sense in island conditions.

Could distributed energy resources boost the deployment of renewables on islands?

Distributed energy resources – or small-scale energy resources that are usually situated near sites of electricity use, such as rooftop solar – could play an important role in boosting the deployment of renewables on islands, increasing the security, resilience and affordability of power systems while accelerating decarbonisation.

Do IEA islands need resilient power systems?

Islands need resilient power systems more than ever. Clean energy can deliver – Analysis - IEA Islands need resilient power systems more than ever.

Why do islands need high energy intensities?

Many islands with tourism and hospitality dependent economies require high energy intensities to sustain these industries and others such as manufacturing and agriculture. In the traditional framework, energy security is discussed in terms of availability, affordability, accessibility, and acceptability.