The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it has chosen solar firms and nonprofits to install rooftop solar and battery storage systems in Puerto Rico through the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund (PR-ERF). Up to $440 million in initial PR-ERF funding will support installing solar panels to cut energy expenses for 30,000-40,000 single-family households in Puerto Rico, according to a press release by DOE.
President Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act into law, allocating $1 billion for the PR-ERF to enhance energy resilience for the most vulnerable households in Puerto Rico. The DOE selected companies including Generac Power Systems, Sunnova Energy Corporation, and Sunrun, Inc., for award negotiations. These companies may receive a combined total of $400 million to deploy residential solar and battery systems to vulnerable communities, said the DOE.
“With this announcement, we take a critical step forward in our efforts to ensure that all Puerto Rico residents have reliable electricity," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "This investment will save lives, provide local jobs and advance Puerto Rico’s clean energy transition.”
Nonprofits and cooperatives in Puerto Rico such as Barrio Eléctrico, Comunidad Solar Toro Negro, Environmental Defense Fund, Let's Share the Sun Foundation, and Solar United Neighbors will also enter award negotiations. They might receive a combined total of $40 million to facilitate residential solar installations, according to the DOE press release.
The DOE is expected to reveal the recipients of PR-ERF's $3.85 million Solar Ambassador Prize and the remaining $10 million through the PR-ERF Funding Opportunity Announcement before the close of 2023.
