Resilient Power Puerto Rico: Bringing Light & Hope

Resilient Power Puerto Rico: Bringing Light and Hope to a Devastated Region

In 2017, hurricanes Irma and Maria brought unprecedented destruction to the islands of Puerto Rico, leaving behind a trail of damaged infrastructure, destroyed buildings, and a death toll of at least 93 people. The aftermath of the disaster has affected every resident of Puerto Rico, making it the worst natural disaster that the region has experienced in the last century. In response to the crisis, the Marvel Architects, Landscape Architects, Urban Designers, PLLC architectural studio launched Resilient Power Puerto Rico (RPPR), an architect-led effort to provide independent electricity, water, and communications to the people of Puerto Rico.

RPPR's philanthropic mission is to offer photovoltaic energy systems to the areas most impacted by Hurricane Maria through donations and contributions of materials and work developed by a group of collaborators in New York and Puerto Rico. The solar power systems are designed to provide relief by providing electric power and maintaining basic services necessary for communities. However, RPPR's goal goes beyond providing electricity. The project aims to bring energy resilience to all of Puerto Rico by creating redundancy in the power system, which will provide security and reliability against future natural disasters or failures of the electrical system.

The first phase of the project is intended to power 200 community centers and clinics throughout the islands, where citizens receive direct assistance. The second phase targets larger-scale installations and strategic partners in community development. The project has made over 16 installations island-wide so far and has received over $1.2 million in donations. Thirty more sites will be installed this year in time for peak hurricane season.

RPPR is an example of how architecture and design can be used to address humanitarian crises. Through innovative design solutions, RPPR is providing hope to the people of Puerto Rico by bringing light and power to their communities. The project's success highlights the importance of resilience in the face of natural disasters and the need for architectural solutions that can withstand the impact of such events. As RPPR continues to expand, it is poised to make a significant impact on the energy and infrastructure of Puerto Rico, bringing light and hope to a region that has been devastated by natural disasters.

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