Solar Generators Power Sandy-Stricken Areas

WNYC ^ | 12-3-12 | Annmarie Fertoli

[smokingfrog]

A non-profit clean energy group, Solar One, has been deploying solar generators to areas most affected by Hurricane Sandy. The group currently has several generators running in the Rockaways, and made a recent delivery to Midland Beach on Staten Island.

The delivery went to a community-run center operating at St. Margaret Mary Roman Catholic Church. Adjacent to the church’s gymnasium is a building still without power. There, volunteers have set up services like a legal clinic, to help residents with their paperwork, and a free store, packed with donated goods like soap and canned foods.

Outside is a small yard with tents where residents can get a massage, sign up to volunteer for the day, or just rest. Several groups and individual volunteers have set up shop here, to help provide services. It’s become a one-stop shop for residents in need.

It’s also where the new solar generator will reside. Max Joel, with Solar One, hopes it will provide some small conveniences. “People will be able to charge cell phones, charge laptops … can run a small refrigerator, lighting,” he said. “For a lot of the things I’m seeing around the site here, it should serve pretty well.”

[McGruff]

How good do they work at night?

[Alice in Wonderland]

Greenpeace has had a solar generator (to recharge cell phones)on the Rockaway peninsula since the day after the storm. They arrived with Occupy Wall Street (aka: Occupy Sandy) people who opened the YANA (you are not alone) relief center in the storefront next door.

[One Name]

That looks more like a 100 kw outfit to me. I have a 15000 watt pto generator I could run with a 20 hp tractor.

[One Name]

That looks more like a 100 kw outfit to me. I have a 15000 watt pto generator I could run with a 20 hp tractor.