Sail Relief Team
Solar Trailer

THE CHALLENGE

HURRICANE MARIA

Since the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017, the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, has grappled with a severely compromised and unreliable power grid. Relying on a single, vulnerable underwater cable, the island frequently experiences blackouts, not just from extreme weather but also from other disruptions like the earthquakes that struck Puerto Rico in early 2020. This precarious energy situation left vital services, such as the Vieques Oficina Municipal para el Manejo de Emergencias (OMME) office, without a reliable power source, jeopardizing their ability to respond effectively during crises.

230 POWER OUTAGES

SINCE 2022 ALONE

27 HOURS

AVERAGE TIME TAKEN
TO RESTORE POWER

$16,000

IN DONATED EQUIPEMENT

80 HOURS

TIME COMMITTED
BY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS

DONATIONS

FUELED BY GENEROSITY

The successful deployment of the Vieques Solar Trailer for emergency solar power was made possible by the incredible support of donors like you and strategic partnerships. This innovative project benefited from over $16,000 in generously donated equipment, including crucial Simpliphi batteries and Rent. Solar modules. The remaining costs for essential components like the inverter and custom racking were covered through vital grants and additional donations. Four dedicated volunteers contributed over 80 hours of their time to assemble the trailer after its arrival in Puerto Rico. Your contributions directly translate into resilient solutions for communities in need.

THE OUTCOME

OUR IMPACT

Thanks to the Emergency Solar Power Trailer, the Vieques OMME office now has access to resilient and reliable power, even during grid outages. This solar storage system empowers them to maintain critical operations, including lighting, air conditioning, computers, and a radio repeater, without interruption. Shortly after its completion, the trailer was swiftly deployed to restore power to a water pump in Vieques during major earthquakes, preventing further hardship for the community. By providing an independent, mobile energy source, the trailer allows OMME to continue their crucial work as a primary emergency management hub or to deliver power to other critical facilities across the island, preventing costly and time-consuming relocations during emergencies.

ZERO FUEL COSTS

VS. AVG $200/MO FOR GENERATORS
FOLLOWING HURICANE MARIA

70% OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

WITH AT LEAST 1 SOLAR EQUIPPED
CLINIC IN PUERTO RICO

This project is a testament to how sustainable energy solutions, driven by donor support, can create lasting positive change and foster true community resilience.

YOU'VE SEEN THE BLUEPRINT

HELP US
MAKE AN IMPACT

The Vieques Solar Trailer is a powerful testament to what we can achieve together, but it is just the beginning. Across the Caribbean, countless "last mile" communities remain vulnerable, often the last to receive aid and the first to be forgotten when a hurricane strikes.
This project proves that targeted, sustainable solutions create lasting change. Your donation to our general relief fund gives us the crucial flexibility to respond to the *next* crisis. It allows us to deploy similar solar solutions, deliver vital supplies, and support critical infrastructure for the communities that need it most, right when they need it.
You’ve seen the proof. Your contribution today makes the next success story possible.

The mission of Sail Relief Team is to assist in emergency preparedness and disaster relief efforts in remote and underserved coastal communities throughout the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. We address three core needs—Relief, Recovery, and Resiliency—to preserve life and support communities, operating primarily through grants, donations, and dedicated volunteer work.

OUR PARTNERS

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