COMMITMENT TO ACTION
Solight Design: Empowering Puerto Rico with Solar Lights
Commitment by Operation Blessing International, Puerto Rico Renace, Solight Design, Studio Unite
In 2018, Solight Design, in partnership with the Hispanic Federation, committed to donate and distribute 50,000 SolarPuffs (durable, collapsible solar lanterns) to communities without reliable access to grid power in Puerto Rico. Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico's energy system, leaving some communities without access to electricity seven months after the storm, especially in rural, mountainous areas of the island. The Hispanic Federation has provided funding to procure these lights, and will provide logistical assistance to support distribution. Additional distribution support will be provided by NGO partners including Studio Unite, Puerto Rico Renace, and Operation Blessing. These lights will benefit approximately 50,000 households in the towns of Ciales, Canovanas, San Juan, and Yabucoa. This commitment builds on a previous commitment made by Solight to provide 10,000 lights to Puerto Rico through the Solar Saves Lives initiative; through this commitment, Solight will bring the total number of lights distributed in Puerto Rico to 130,000.