Generac Power Systems, Inc., a leading global designer and manufacturer of energy technology solutions and other power products, announced that the company has been selected by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) as one of several qualified suppliers to participate in award negotiations as part of an investment of up to $440 million from the Puerto Rico Energy Resiliency Fund. These funds will support residential solar and battery storage systems for up to 40,000 vulnerable Puerto Rican households with installations that could begin in spring 2024.
This announcement marks a critical milestone in providing reliable electricity to Puerto Rico ‘s most vulnerable residents and the first round of selections for the PR-ERF 2023 Funding Opportunity Announcement . The project will deploy solar photovoltaic and battery storage systems on the rooftops of eligible residents’ homes to help increase their energy resilience and decrease their energy burden. Generac and its project partners in Puerto Rico will help provide clean energy to vulnerable low-income households, including those in areas where a person with an energy-dependent disability resides or those located in low-income areas that experience frequent power outages and prolonged. These installations can help improve home energy resilience for thousands of residents. These funds will also support clean energy jobs and help Puerto Rico achieve its renewable energy goals.
“Generac has been a trusted provider of resiliency backup power since 1959 and we are honored to be part of this important Department of Energy program to provide Puerto Rico ‘s most vulnerable communities with access to our clean energy sources,” he said . Aaron Jagdfeld , president and CEO of Generac. “As the island continues to deal with extreme weather events and aging energy infrastructure, Generac’s solar + battery storage solutions will help maintain power, while also helping to support job growth within the energy sector. clean”.
Generac will work with local partners to support the program, including:
- PosiGen, one of the nation’s leading residential solar energy and energy efficiency providers for low- to moderate-income homeowners. The PosiGen Partner Program, which helps value-aligned partners offer the PosiGen leasing product, has helped homeowners go solar since its inception in 2021. PosiGen remains true to its mission to make solar energy affordable for homeowners of different income levels, while helping customers achieve greater fiscal autonomy and energy independence through lower utility bills.
- FR-BLDM, a leading local and minority-owned construction company, will lead the facility, working with other local, family-owned small businesses in Puerto Rico .
- Juapi Energy, PWRcell’s primary partner and Generac service distributor in Puerto Rico , will provide an additional layer of service support to residents.
- The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), a clean energy nonprofit established in 1982, and PathStone, a nonprofit providing humanitarian and community development services in Puerto Rico since 1998, will help lead workforce development efforts that focus on providing jobs for residents of vulnerable households in Puerto Rico , including last mile communities.
- Additionally, IREC will coordinate additional local nonprofit organizations to serve as liaisons between Solar Ambassadors, installers, and eligible beneficiaries.
SOURCE : PRNewswire