$365M Dedicated to Bolstering Energy Resilience in Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON — Four Puerto-Rico-based teams have been selected to install solar and battery storage systems across the island under a new program supported by the Department of Energy’s Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund. 

The Programa de Comunidades Resilientes represents an investment of up to $365 million aimed at improving community-level energy resilience for vulnerable populations across Puerto Rico.

The money will pay for solar and battery storage installations for community health care facilities as well as common areas within public housing and privately owned subsidized multi-family properties. 

This investment will also boost local workforce development opportunities in Puerto Rico, the department said in a press release. 

 “The Biden-Harris administration is ensuring that Puerto Rico’s most vulnerable residents are not forgotten during the transition to a more reliable and resilient grid,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in a written statement. 

“Solar and battery storage is critical to this strategy,” she continued. “Thanks to the innovative Programa de Comunidades Resilientes, families will have expanded access to critical services and reliable electricity when and where they need it most.” 

Teams selected for award negotiations under the new program have an existing presence in Puerto Rico and will coordinate the deployment of projects across many facilities or properties in partnership with local stakeholders. 

The selected teams include community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, solar installation companies, engineering, procurement and design firms. 

Multi-Family Housing Properties 

Pending successful award negotiations, the department anticipates awarding up to $190 million to fund solar and battery installations for common areas within public housing or privately owned multi-family housing properties subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture. 

In this category, the Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration is the lead entity in a team negotiating an award of up to $83.2 million, while Dynamic Solar Solutions, a commercial solar installer, will be leading a team negotiating an award of up to $107.3 million.

Community Health Care Facilities 

Pending successful award negotiations, the Department of Energy anticipates awarding up to $175 million to fund solar and battery storage installations for federally qualified health care centers, dialysis centers, and diagnostic and treatment centers in underserved and vulnerable communities. 

The DOE also anticipates funding projects that power critical health care services, such as trauma and emergency services and cold chains for vaccines and medicines. 

In this category, the department selected the following teams to enter award negotiations: 

The Hispanic Federation Inc. is the lead entity of a team negotiating an award of up to $58.3 million.

Dynamic Solar Solutions is the lead in a group negotiating an award of up to $116.2 million.

The Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund was established in December 2022, after the Biden-Harris administration dedicated $1 billion to its creation to drive key investments in resilient and renewable energy infrastructure for vulnerable communities on the island. 

The Programa de Comunidades Resilientes is the second round of energy reliability investments under the PR-ERF. 

In July 2024, the Department of Energy announced its first installations of subsidized residential solar and battery storage systems through the PR-ERF’s Programa Acceso Solar, connecting low-income Puerto Rican households with reliable and affordable energy. 

Residents of Puerto Rico can visit energy.gov/solarPR to check their eligibility and reach out to their local solar ambassador to apply. 

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue