Community Lighthouses bring solar power resiliency in times of New Orleans disasters [Video]

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – While the City of New Orleans works with Entergy to strengthen the power grid, a group of community-based churches are working with the city to build solar-powered resiliency.

Community Lighthouses are popping up in neighborhoods across New Orleans. They use solar panels to charge backup batteries that can fully power the locations, in the event of a power outage. There are now 12 in New Orleans, with three more statewide.

The latest lighthouse was revealed Wednesday (June 26) at the Sisters of the Holy Family Motherhouse on Chef Menteur Highway.

“For us, this is probably the best decision we ever made,” said Sister Alicia Costa.

Sister Costa says the lighthouse serves as a beacon of hope for those left in the dark when the power grid fails. It comes with a bonus for the sisters: a lower utility bill.

“We leave every room, and we turn out the lights and turn off the …