In a time where natural disasters are increasing in number and magnitude, innovation toward climate resilience is needed — and occurring — here in Santa Barbara. From powering tsunami sirens to keeping food pantries lit through the night, a local nonprofit is preparing to roll out a new energy system across the county.
Unite to Light, in partnership with local battery startup Dragon Q Energy and the James S. Bower Foundation, has selected eight sites for its first wave of PowerPole installations. The compact, solar-integrated systems pair photovoltaic panels with battery storage and internet connectivity, offering off-grid electricity in places that often lose power first when disasters hit.
“Many of these sites currently have little or no access to power,” said Megan Birney Rudert, Unite to Light’s president and CEO. “By providing clean, reliable energy, we’re enabling everything from emergency alerts to education and community services — and creating models that can be replicated around the world.”…