Responding to Hurricane Melissa Outages with Mobile Solar Microgrids

Hurricane Melissa closed out 2025 as a late-season hurricane -- the strongest storm to ever strike the island nation of Jamaica. This was our first in-person international response where we sent staff, volunteers, and renewable response technologies to respond to the devastating Category 5 storm. We worked with several local community partners and international humanitarian relief organizations to provide lifesaving communication hubs and mobile solar microgrid power for health clinics.

Cleaner Air and Cleaner Water Following Melissa

Some of our work included partnering with Télécoms Sans Frontières - TSF and the Jamaica Red Cross. Donations from several major partners made it possible for us to replace gas generators with portable solar and battery generators to power Starlinks and charging stations.

We also partnered with IREE Solar to provide free solar power for health clinics and Water Mission’s water purification operation in the Westmoreland parish of Jamaica. Because of this solar microgrid system, Water Mission was able to provide clean drinking water to the surrounding communities more efficiently.

As we traversed Jamaica meeting and talking with community members, we continued to learn how we can help. Each community and each person has different needs. We’re thankful for all the conversations we’ve had during our time in Jamaica that have given us a deeper understanding of how we can support those affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Establishing Solar Microgrids for the Future

Our response in Jamaica continued into 2026 as we secured a $250K grant to build ten permanent medical microgrids. Powering medical care across western Jamaica, these systems will help create more resilient communities facing extreme storms.

Other 2025 Highlights in the Caribbean

• FEBRUARY: Anticipating a strong Hurricane season, Footprint Project pre-staged mobile palletized units (MPUs) in Barbados for later deployment by World Food Programme.

• APRIL:  At Centro de Apoyo Mutuo in Puerto Rico we built two solar trailers for use in Caguas and San Juan

• OCTOBER: As Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica, Footprint Project speaks at the Puerto Rico Solar Energy Storage Association Conference and raises $150K in battery and cash support for their Caribbean neighbors.

Footprint Project’s Impact in Jamaica

• 50 Sites supported

  • Rentals: 39

  • Free store + microgrid development: 103

• 57k People impacted

  • Outgoing donations: 39k

  • Rentals: 18k

• $442k value provided

  • Outgoing in-kind donations value: $170k

  • Regional programs response: $100k

  • Regional fleet asset value acquired in 2025: $172k