In rural Puerto Rico, access to reliable energy is a barrier to food production and economic growth—especially in the face of extreme weather. Twende Solar has partnered with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to install a first-of-its-kind, disaster-hardened agrivoltaic system on a coffee farm in the mountains of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico.
Agrivoltaics is the pairing of solar and agriculture for shared benefits.
This project is part of the NREL initiative called the “Innovative Site Preparation and Impact Reductions on the Environment (InSPIRE)” which aims to demonstrate opportunities where solar projects can be successfully integrated with agricultural operations to improve yields and lower costs.
This pilot project combines solar energy and sustainable agriculture, serving as a model for disaster preparedness and climate resilience in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean.
By sharing data, lessons learned, and technical designs with government, nonprofit, and industry partners, Twende Solar is helping pave the way for scalable, storm-ready agrivoltaic systems in vulnerable communities around the world.
Project Impact
Climate Resilience & Disaster Readiness: The hurricane-resilient design provides a blueprint for how renewable energy infrastructure can withstand extreme weather and ensure critical operations continue after disasters.
Regional & Global Influence: This pilot will inform the standardization and scaling of agrivoltaic systems throughout Puerto Rico and other disaster-prone regions, positioning Twende Solar and its partners at the forefront of innovation in climate-adaptive agriculture and energy access.
Revitalized Food Production: A hydroponic greenhouse, once shuttered by unreliable energy access, will be brought back online—creating new income opportunities and improving local food availability.
Job Creation & Economic Stability: With lower energy costs and new revenue from solar-powered operations, the farm will be able to hire additional agricultural labor and reinvest in its community.
Our Project Partner
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) bridges research with real-world applications to advance energy technologies that lower costs, boost the economy, strengthen security, and ensure abundant energy.
