Will Tesla Solar power Ta'u in American Samoa?

Tesla has announced their solar panels are nearly entirely powering the island of Ta'u in American Samoa. The island used to depend entirely on imported diesel fuel for its electricity, but a new initiative has seen the islanders build a 1.4-megawatt microgrid that absorbs and stores solar power for all their energy needs.

How much solar power does American Samoa have?

Of the 5 MW of ASPA’s grid-connected solar PV capacity, 4.1 MW is utility scale and 900 kW is distributed across rooftops. American Samoa’s smaller islands are moving toward a combination of solar, batteries, and diesel generators.

How does American Samoa generate electricity?

Some of its islands generate electricity from solar energy. 5, 6 Pago Pago, one of the deepest natural harbors in the South Pacific, is among the territory's most important assets. It receives the imported petroleum products that American Samoa depends on to meet almost all of its energy needs. 7, 8

Does American Samoa have energy issues?

Although energy burdens pose a real challenge in American Samoa, the territory is working to advance energy justice. For example, the Territorial Energy Office provides home energy efficiency programs to help reduce energy costs for low-income households.

Does American Samoa have a geothermal energy plan?

The 2016 American Samoa Energy Action Plan identifies some geothermal resources, but none of these are viable for commercial electricity generation. The 2016 plan instead emphasizes the development of wind and solar power (Ness, Haase, and Conrad 2016). American Samoa is exploring opportunities for both offshore and onshore wind power generation.

Is American Samoa a renewable country?

American Samoa’s energy sector relies almost entirely on imported fossil fuels, although renewables represent a small but growing power system contribution. The territory possesses substantial solar energy resources, as well as wind and biomass resource potential.