Renewable energy-focused nonprofit Enphase Energy, Empowered by Light and a global energy management technology company, have partnered to provide solar generators to communities affected by the recent LA fires and to firefighting teams deployed from the Bay Area to to help fight the devastating fires.
The two Bay Area-based organizations are distributing 25 Enphase IQ PowerPack 1500s, a portable solar generator with portable solar panels, which can be used to charge cell phones, laptops, radios, lights and other small critical devices. About a dozen of the solar generators are used by the strike teams fighting the fires to power the radios and mobile phones of the fire brigade personnel. Six solar generators are also distributed to World Central Kitchen, providing infrastructure support to community centers in low-income neighborhoods without power. These units power lighting and provide a free local power source for charging cell phones and other small personal devices.
“These solar generators will provide much-needed energy and help firefighters and others phase out diesel generators – which have traditionally been the main source of energy during natural disasters,” said Moira Hanes, director of Empowered by Light. “This effort will help break the negative feedback loop between environmental disasters and fossil fuel-based responses.”
Captain Richard Birt, retired from Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and founder of Solar and Fire Education, which helps coordinate the deployment of these units, said, “These units will provide a renewable energy source for critical communications for the firefighters working on the scene. serve on the front line. strike teams when working in areas with no or limited power.”
News item from Empowered by Light
