We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV Puerto Rico Climate Change - Ramirez
HEAD: Puerto Rican Town Goes Solar as It Adapts to Climate Change
TEASER: Tired of weather-induced power outages, businesses in Adjuntas embrace renewable energy
PUBLISHED AT:
BYLINE: Salomé Ramírez
CONTRIBUTOR: Salomé Ramírez
DATELINE: Adjuntas, Puerto Rico
VIDEOGRAPHER: Salomé Ramírez
TRANSLATOR/VIDEO EDITOR: Veronica Villafañe
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS: (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; Reifenrath
TRT: 2:30
VID APPROVED BY: KE
UPDATE:))
((INTRO))
[[Hit by tropical storms and hurricanes over recent years, including 2017's deadly Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is looking for ways to combat the impact of climate change. A community in a mountainous region of the island has taken matters into its own hands, creating Puerto Rico's first solar town. Salomé Ramírez reports.]]
((NAT))
“Hola… hola… ¿cómo estás?”
((NARRATION))
For the past 40 years, Wilfredo Pérez has run his barbershop in the small town of Adjuntas, in the mountains of Puerto Rico.
((Wilfredo Pérez, Barbershop Owner)) ((in Spanish))
"Thank God, I'm here. I’m calm, always with a little fear, but I'm fine."
((NARRATION))
Pérez's business almost didn’t survive Hurricane Maria in 2017. The storm wiped out the island's electrical system, leaving Puerto Rico in the dark and forcing the barber to look for alternatives to continue working. A neighbor who had a gasoline-powered generator helped him out.
((Wilfredo Pérez, Barbershop Owner)) ((in Spanish))
"When the hurricane came, I was left without power. Then a neighbor gave me an extension cord so I could connect, but I was only able to work a little bit because whenever she left, I wouldn’t have any power."
((NARRATION))
In January 2018, the director and a group of volunteers from Casa Pueblo, a community self-management project, offered him the opportunity to install solar panels for his business.
((Wilfredo Pérez, Barbershop Owner)) ((in Spanish))
"It’s the best thing in the world because without them, I wouldn't be able to work in peace. This is the best thing there is."
((NARRATION))
The Pérez Barbershop became one of the first businesses in Adjuntas to get 100% of its power from solar energy. But soon, he won’t be the only one. Pérez will be joined by a group of entrepreneurs who have teamed up to establish a micro-grid to achieve energy independence for the town of about 18,000.
((Gustavo Irizarry, Pizzeria Owner)) ((in Spanish))
"We started the process four years ago with a simple conversation. Now, we are 14 business owners who have the same vision, the same north, the same philosophy of working with renewable energies.”
((NARRATION))
The dream of serving Puerto Ricans with solar energy has spread to the town’s public square, where Gustavo Irizarry's pizzeria is located.
((Gustavo Irizarry, Pizzeria Owner)) ((in Spanish))
“It gives us an alternative source of energy, especially for those of us who have suffered through Hurricane Maria, when we didn’t have electricity for six months. We spent 17,000 dollars on diesel. So, having renewable energy, solar energy, is a great advantage for me and my employees.”
((NARRATION))
800 solar panels were installed for the project, all of them donated by the Honnold Foundation, which provides grants to organizations that promote access to solar energy around the world.
((Salomé Ramírez, for VOA News, Adjuntas, Puerto Rico.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 14, 2023 12:58 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
