# Community-Owned Solar Microgrids This Microgrid Project Helps Build Energy Security in Puerto Rico By Kalin Ned | Published 2023-06-12 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/communityowned-solar-microgrids References: [fastcompany](https://www.fastcompany.com/90906602/puerto-rico-community-transitioning-to-solar-microgrid?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss) & [casapueblo.org](https://casapueblo.org/adjuntas-pueblo-solar/)  Community-owned solar microgrids are a great way to enhance the independence of communities that live in harsh climates. This model of ownership presents an accessible way to ensure [energy security in rural areas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beam-global) and cities around the world. A great example of [community-owned solar microgrids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-electric-pavilion) in action comes from Puerto Rico's [Casa Pueblo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-jardin) group. Residents of the island have embraced the deep and meaningful connections among to community "to create local buy-in and make it an equitable transition." The community-owned microgrid project, which is framed as a grassroots movement, will certainly add some resiliency to residents of Puerto Rico amid fossil fuel extraction and major climate events like Hurricane Maria which "damaged 80% of Puerto Rico's power grid." Image Credit: Casa Pueblo ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 34% | Activity: 46% | Freshness: 16% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Eco Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/ecoarchitecture) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Community-owned Solar Microgrids:** This trend presents disruptive innovation opportunities for energy companies and startups to create accessible and affordable solar microgrids for rural and urban areas worldwide. - **Grassroots Microgrid Initiatives:** This trend presents disruptive innovation opportunities for community organizations, governments, and startups to collaborate on developing sustainable and resilient microgrid initiatives. - **Localized Energy Production:** This trend presents disruptive innovation opportunities for energy companies and startups to create localized energy production solutions that enhance community independence and energy security. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Renewable Energy:** The renewable energy industry can leverage this trend to develop and market community-owned solar microgrid solutions that offer affordable and accessible energy options for rural and urban areas. - **Community Development:** The community development industry can leverage this trend to create localized energy solutions that enhance community independence and resilience while also fostering community engagement and collaboration. - **Technology Startups:** Technology startups can leverage this trend to develop innovative solutions for localized and accessible energy production and distribution, utilizing advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and blockchain. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Solar Tribal Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Chhattisgarh.md) - [Shared Solar Metering Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/discoms.md) - [Utility-Led Solar Aggregations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Surya-Ghar.md) - [Subsidized Rooftop Solar Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/state-of-Gujarat.md) - [Modular Energy Storage Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kohler-power-reserve.md) - [Housing Collective Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-comunidad-habitacional.md) - [Home Backup Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solix-e10.md) - [Tourism Energy Villages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goa-government.md) - [Autonomous Solar Energy Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pbx-200.md)