🌎 Puerto Rico embraces solar

Plus, construction labor shortage could slow the energy transition

Welcome back, climate leaders. Solar is making its way to music festivals. Billie Eilishe’s headlining Lollapalooza Set was powered by solar panels as part of the Music Decarbonization Project.

In today’s edition:

  • ☀️ DOE gives Puerto Rico $450m to embrace solar

  • 👷🏼 A construction labor shortage is delaying projects

  • 🌎 More high-income individuals consider working on climate

Read time: 5 minutes

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BIG STORY

Source: Unsplash

Driving the news: The Department of Energy (DOE) is providing $450 million for residential solar and battery systems in Puerto Rico in an effort to address the frequent blackouts experienced on the island.

  • These initiatives are part of the government's focus on rebuilding and restructuring Puerto Rico's power grid with renewable energy and distributed resources after the devastation caused by

What's happening: The DOE will facilitate the installation of up to 40,000 photovoltaic systems aimed at low-income households and communities.

Why it matters: Puerto Rico's electric grid is vulnerable to natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, leading to an unacceptable frequency of rolling blackouts. Especially during heat waves.

  • As climate change brings more extreme weather conditions, addressing the fragility of the grid becomes crucial.

  • The Biden administration is committed to supporting Puerto Rico's grid recovery and modernization efforts, prioritizing renewable energy and distributed resources.

What's next: The allocated $450 million will primarily target the lowest-income households, aiding medically vulnerable individuals and those living in remote "last-mile" communities.

  • The funding will be channeled to install, own, and maintain solar systems through solar installation companies, nonprofit energy providers, and electric cooperatives.

  • A community-focused "Solar Ambassador" program will determine the recipients, ensuring equitable access and addressing the needs of the most disadvantaged populations.

🌶 Hot take: Puerto Rico is an ideal candidate for solar panels, battery systems, and microgrids due to its unpredictable weather patterns and unreliable power grid. It can serve as a test case for necessary climate solutions, including technology and policy, as similar risks become more widespread worldwide.

HOT TOPICS

  1. ⛏ Earth minerals: ExxonMobil is discussing lithium supply chains with Tesla, Ford, Volkswagen, and other carmakers as it seeks to enter the electric vehicle battery market. Critical minerals like lithium are in increasingly high demand.

  2. 👷🏼 Construction: The American construction industry is currently experiencing a significant shortage of labor, affecting the completion of projects, including those related to the energy transition. This shortage amounts to around 650,000 workers.

  3. 🔋 Batteries: Equilibrium Energy, led by Tesla alum Ryan Hanley, enters the Texas market offering grid battery rentals for profit in ERCOT. More to come from the startup aiming to transform clean energy development. Jupiter Power signs on as the first partner.

  4. ♻️ Solar recycling: Yuma, Arizona hosts North America's largest solar panel recycling plant, combating the increasing influx of worn-out panels. We Recycle Solar tackles the pressing issue of solar waste, essential for expanding clean energy and combating climate change.

  5. ✈️ Sustainable Aviation: Aviation fuel tax credits are being disputed due to corn-based ethanol and agricultural crop sourcing of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

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TODAY’S DATA

46%

According to a recent survey, individuals with higher income are more inclined to look for job opportunities in companies that prioritize sustainability (46%), whereas only 20% of middle-income individuals and 13% of lower-income individuals share the same view.

ACCLIMATE RECS

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