The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced its intent to issue a $325 million funding opportunity for the new Programa de Comunidades Resilientes, supported by DOE’s Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund (PR-ERF). This initiative aims to enhance energy resilience for vulnerable populations across Puerto Rico by financing solar and battery storage installations for community healthcare facilities and common areas within subsidized multi-family housing properties.
"The Biden-Harris Administration has proven its commitment to helping thousands of Puerto Rican households access affordable solar and battery storage, but households aren't the only place you need power during and after an emergency," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "Through the Programa de Comunidades Resilientes, we’re expanding solar access to community healthcare facilities and subsidized multifamily housing, helping bring resilience and safety to even more families on the Island."
Applicants may include individual entities or teams based in Puerto Rico capable of coordinating the deployment of solar and battery storage systems across multiple sites. The DOE anticipates up to $325 million will be available through this program for two types of community infrastructure:
Community Healthcare Facilities: DOE may allocate between $70 million and $140 million for energy resilience solutions at federally qualified health centers, dialysis centers, and diagnostic and treatment centers.
Multi-Family Housing Properties: DOE may allocate between $93 million and $185 million for energy resilience solutions in community centers and common areas within public or privately owned multi-family housing properties subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Projects are expected to power certain common spaces accessible to all residents as well as shared building infrastructure that relies on electricity, such as elevators. Additionally, community centers located on Puerto Rico public housing properties would also be eligible for installations under this program.
In December 2022, President Biden signed into law $1 billion for the establishment of the PR-ERF to drive investments in renewable and resilient energy infrastructure in Puerto Rico. In February 2024, DOE launched Programa Acceso Solar through PR-ERF to connect low-income Puerto Rican households with subsidized residential solar and battery storage systems. Residents can visit energy.gov/solarPR to check their eligibility and contact their local Solar Ambassador to apply.
Read the full Notice of Intent.
Learn more about the Grid Deployment Office.
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