Slashdot Mirror


Tesla Turns Power Back On At Children's Hospital In Puerto Rico (npr.org)

Elon Musk took to Instagram yesterday to announce the "first of many solar+battery Tesla projects going live in Puerto Rico." Tesla has used its solar panels and batteries to restore reliable electricity at San Juan's Hospital del Nino (Children's Hospital) after the country was devastated by two powerful hurricanes in September. NPR reports: Musk's company announced its success in getting the hospital's power working again less than three weeks after Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello tweeted on Oct. 6, "Great initial conversation with @elonmusk tonight. Teams are now talking; exploring opportunities." Tesla's image of the project's solar array, in a parking lot next to the hospital, has been liked more than 84,000 times since it was posted to Instagram Tuesday. The hospital's new system allows it to generate all the energy it needs, according to El Nuevo Dia. The facility has 35 permanent residents with chronic conditions; it also offers services to some 3,000 young patients, the newspaper says. As for who is paying for the power system, the head of the hospital tells Nuevo Dia that for now, it's a donation -- and that after the energy crisis is over, a deal could make it permanent. Both Rossello and the tech company tweeted about the project this week, with Tesla saying in a post, "Grateful to support the recovery of Puerto Rico with @ricardorossello" -- and Rossello stating, "A major contribution of @Tesla to the Hospital del Nino."

2 of 203 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Obama's fault by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Not true, the hurricanes are caused by Trump's unnatural love of coal.

    In the long run yes, but in line with your own climate hypothesis today's hurricanes are being caused by Carter not allowing nuclear fuel to be reprocessed and Obama killing off Yucca Mountain.

  2. Re:Look, I love Elon as much as the next sycophant by PKFC · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Of course it was done for PR-reasons

    Yeah. PR as in Puerto Rico >.>