PROJECT OVERVIEW: INSPIRE PUERTO RICO - COFFEE + SOLAR IN ADJUNTAS, PR
Twende Solar is teaming up with scientists, researchers, solar and agriculture experts to complete a first of its kind project to study solar shade-grown coffee in Puerto Rico!
The Innovative Site Preparation and Impact Reductions on the Environment (InSPIRE) project aims to demonstrate opportunities where solar projects can be successfully integrated with agricultural operations to improve yields and lower costs.
Hacienda Berdiel
The InSPIRE-Puerto Rico project seeks to construct an experimental agrivoltaic, or dual-use, solar energy system of 8 kW. The solar modules will act as the shade trees over the productive coffee plants. The study will also monitor in the subsequent two years the multiple impacts (economic, yield, environmental) of the agrivoltaic PV system.
While this is one project, it has broader implications, especially for hurricane-prone areas. During a disaster, it is important that the agricultural sector can continue to operate to feed the community. Farms are often located in rural areas and therefore the last to receive aid and assistance following a disaster—compounding community recovery challenges.
What if farmers could remain resilient following a disaster? We are eager to work on one piece of this complex puzzle alongside experts on coffee, farming, and energy.
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COLLABORATORS AND SPONSORS
Project Development Team:
Jorge Figueroa - President, Jorge Figueroa Environmental Solutions, LLC.
Dr. Sarada Krishnan - Director of Horticulture & Center for Global Initiatives at Denver Botanic Gardens - Executive Director, International Women’s Coffee Alliance
Robin Swanhuyser - Executive Director, Twende Solar
Ryan Schalk - Project Manager, Primergy Solar
Sanya Detweiler - Twende Board Director, Boxpower
Jake Marley - Managing Director, Hyperion Services, LLC
Technical Advisory Group:
Professor Carlos Semidei - Agriculture Technology Professor at University of Puerto Rico, Utuado
Professor Carlos Flores Orgega - Associate Professor University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
Carlos Tejera - Program Manager at Department of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico
Alejandro Marchand - Program Manager, Techno-Serve, Puerto Rico
Jennifer Bousselot, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor, Colorado State University
Jordan Macnick - Energy Engineer and Environmental Analyst at National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Carlos Alberto Velázquez Lopez - Program Director, The Solar Foundation & Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Puerto Rico
Silvana Ayala, Ph.D. - Researcher, Bifacial PV Analyst at NREL
Jonathan Castillo - Manager of Green Energy and Environment, Hispanic Federation
Loriama Jaramillo-Nieves - Program Manager, The Solar Foundation