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Tesla has started shipping its massive Powerpack batteries to Puerto Rico.
A photo published by Electrek shows three Powerpack batteries have arrived at San Juan airport. The sighting comes a week after Tesla said it would ramp up battery production to help restore power in the storm-ridden island.
Roughly 84% of Puerto Rico is without electricity after Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm, struck the island three weeks ago. The crisis has put renewed focus on clean energy solutions that experts have long said could help address Puerto Rico's frequent electrical issues.
Cal Lankton, Tesla's vice president of energy sales and operations, has met with Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello about using Tesla Powerpacks to build microgrids that could restore electricity to parts of the island. Tesla has successfully installed such systems on smaller islands, like Kauai.
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Tesla starts shipping Powerpacks to Puerto Rico https://t.co/kCVwDp03n9 pic.twitter.com/f1ujOLsgnP
Tesla has also sent "hundreds" of its residential batteries, called Powerwalls, to the island to help restore power to homes that already have solar panels installed.
Tesla's exact plan for the Powerpack batteries is still under wraps. A Tesla representative didn't return Business Insider's request for comment.
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