Tesla Says it Can Rebuild Puerto Rico's Decimated Power Grid

After Puerto Rico was hit by two hurricanes back to back in just a few weeks, along with other islands in the Caribbean, most of their power grid was completely destroyed. Tesla quickly started quietly shipping Powerwalls there to try to get power back on to some houses with solar arrays.

Now CEO Elon Musk says that Tesla could rebuild Puerto Rico’s power grid with batteries and solar on a bigger scale.

Puerto Rico’s electricity rates were already quite high at around $0.20 per kWh and reliant on fossil fuels.

After it was pointed out that Puerto Rico’s destroyed grid is an opportunity to build a better one, Musk wrote on Twitter:

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mre30 - 10/6/2017 3:01:22 PM

+8 Boost

Admirable if it really works and can last for 30 years like most power plant equipment.

One thing it neglects to mention is that most of the island wiring was wiped out, so "where the rubber meets the road" is running the lines (and hardening the lines) from the power plant to people's homes/business' locations.

This sounds more like a "hotel product" to me and I hope it is not just a shameless attempt to glom onto more government money.

vdiv - 10/6/2017 8:57:54 PM

-6 Boost

One hotel here, one school there and before you know it you have power everywhere. Tesla won't rebuild the grid though, they are not a utility. What they could help do is make it more distributed and less dependent on it.

carloslassiter - 10/6/2017 10:05:08 PM

-6 Boost

Would be amazing if they actually can and do.

MDarringer - 10/6/2017 10:13:08 PM

+3 Boost

I don't know why in California that all new construction doesn't automatically have solar by law.

TomM - 10/7/2017 3:01:25 PM

+5 Boost

1 - California already has a problem meeting requirements for Affordable housing for seniors as well as the poor.
2 - No all houses in any area are in a position to benefit from solar.
3 - It would be the equivalent of requiring all cars to be EVs - a decision that should be left to the owners.

MDarringer - 10/6/2017 10:49:55 PM

+8 Boost

BINGO

vdiv - 10/7/2017 9:59:54 PM

-8 Boost

What FEMA money? They've left Puerto Rico in ruins, refuse to even take account of the destruction.

MDarringer - 10/7/2017 10:26:57 PM

+5 Boost

@vdiv...same ridiculous bullspit as usual.

vdiv - 10/8/2017 2:28:12 PM

-1 Boost

Hey, listen, FEMA has three (four with Nate) other hurricane stricken areas to deal with, and prior conditions (i.e. economy, hur. Jose) in addition to Maria's strength have really played a number on Puerto Rico, HOWEVER if that was your neck of the woods you would not be so dismissive.