The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a plan to provide $325 million in funding for the new Resilient Communities Program, promoting solar energy and sustainable residential battery storage for Puerto Rico.
The solar energy and smart battery storage approach
This energy program, supported by the Puerto Rico Energy Resiliency Fund (PR-ERF) of DOE(PR-ERF) of the DOE, seeks to improve energy resilience in vulnerable communities in Puerto Rico. The objective is to finance the installation of solar photovoltaic systems and battery storage in community health facilities, community centers, and common areas in subsidized multifamily housing properties.
Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm cited the U.S. government administration’s commitment to provide access to affordable solar energy and storage to thousands of homes in Puerto Rico. The Resilient Communities Program will expand access to solar energy in community health facilities and subsidized multifamily housing, bringing resilience and security to more families on the island.
Details of DOE funding
Potential funding recipients include individual entities or teams located in Puerto Rico capable of coordinating the implementation of these systems at multiple locations. DOE plans to allocate up to $325 million for solar photovoltaic and battery storage systems in two types of community infrastructure:
- Community Health Facilities: $70 million to $140 million is planned to fund energy resiliency solutions at dialysis centers, diagnostic and treatment centers, and federally qualified health centers.
- Multifamily Housing Properties: Funding will range from $93 million to $185 million to support energy resiliency solutions in community centers and common areas within public or private multifamily housing properties subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD). In addition, the program will include community centers in public housing properties in Puerto Rico.
The objective of the renewable energy plan
In December 2022, the U.S. government authorized $1 billion to establish the PR-ERF to encourage investments in renewable and resilient energy infrastructure in Puerto Rico. In February 2024, the Department of Energy announced the Solar Access Program, under the PR-ERF framework, to connect low-income Puerto Rican households with solar photovoltaic systems as residential and subsidized battery storage.
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Source: DOE Energy
Photo: Shutterstock
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