{
  "id": 11397365,
  "title": "In 2010, Elon Musk funded 108 solar panels and battery backup for an Alabama centre",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/in-2010-elon-musk-funded-108-solar-panels-and-battery-backup-for-an",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-02T08:09:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/in-2010-elon-musk-funded-a-25-kilowatt-solar-system-for-an-alabama-disaster-centre-108-panels-and-battery-backup-were-designed-to-keep-it-powered-when-the-surrounding-grid-went-down/articleshow/134634932.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2010, Elon Musk funded the installation of 108 solar panels and battery backup at the South Bay Communities Alliance Hurricane Response Center in Coden, Alabama. The 25-kilowatt system was designed to provide the facility with about 90% to 100% of its electricity needs and to offer energy security during disasters like hurricanes or power grid failures. Musk's foundation funded the project, while SolarCity donated and installed the system. The installation came as Coden was still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which had impacted the local commercial fishing industry. Musk explained that the project aimed to help residents while demonstrating an alternative to relying on oil, stating, \"This seemed like a good thing to do to help people out, while simultaneously creating awareness that there was a better way to keep things going than just 'drill, baby, drill.\" The solar system for the disaster response center was intended to provide electricity when the surrounding grid was unavailable, and the battery backup was crucial for maintaining energy security during emergencies.",
  "summary": "Elon Musk funded a 25-kilowatt solar project to help a community center in Coden, Alabama. The project was designed to provide electricity during emergencies, ensuring energy safety after disasters. It was installed at the South Bay Communities Alliance Hurricane Response Center, which aided recovery from Hurricane Katrina. SolarCity contributed to the installation and supported Musk's vision for…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CityNews",
        "title": "Ontario ministers defend secret payout to Elon Musk’s SpaceX over nixed Starlink deal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/ontario-ministers-defend-secret-payout-to-elon-musks-spacex-over-11016206",
        "published": "2026-09-30T19:11:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Ontario ministers defend secret payout to Elon Musk’s SpaceX over nixed Starlink deal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/ontario-ministers-defend-secret-payout-to-elon-musks-spacex-over",
        "published": "2026-09-30T19:11:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian US",
        "title": "Pete Hegseth appoints Elon Musk to US taskforce on future of warfare",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/pete-hegseth-appoints-elon-musk-to-us-taskforce-on-future-of-warfare",
        "published": "2026-09-30T21:18:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC Canada",
        "title": "Ontario ministers defend secret payout to Elon Musk's SpaceX over nixed Starlink deal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/ontario-ministers-defend-secret-payout-to-elon-musks-spacex-over-11045044",
        "published": "2026-09-30T21:50:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Elon Musk to co-lead US effort to study future of warfare, War Secretary Pete Hegseth announces",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/elon-musk-to-co-lead-us-effort-to-study-future-of-warfare-war",
        "published": "2026-09-30T23:29:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "SpaceX donates 50 Starlink kits to Malaysia for disaster preparedness",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/spacex-donates-50-starlink-kits-to-malaysia-for-disaster-preparedness",
        "published": "2026-10-01T01:36:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Alex Gibney on his new Elon Musk documentary: \"He hires great engineers\"",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/alex-gibney-on-his-new-elon-musk-documentary-he-hires-great-engineers",
        "published": "2026-10-01T23:10:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}