Local companies to provide solar/battery storage
installations in low-income communities hit hardest by long and
frequent outages
WAUKESHA, Wis., July 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Generac Power
Systems (NYSE: GNRC), a leading global designer, manufacturer
and provider of energy technology solutions and other power
products, today announced the company has been awarded a grant of
up to $200 million over the five year
term of the award agreement with the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) as part of the $1
billion Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund (PR-ERF). Under
the PR-ERF's Programa Acceso Solar (Solar Access Program), Generac
will facilitate the installation of residential solar and battery
storage systems for disadvantaged Puerto Rican households.
Installations will begin in August of 2024.
Generac and its local project affiliates in Puerto
Rico will offer clean and resilient energy in low-income areas that
experience frequent and prolonged power outages as well as to
households where a resident with an energy-dependent disability
resides. This funding also will support clean energy jobs and
help Puerto Rico achieve its renewable energy goal of
meeting its electricity needs with 100% renewable energy by 2050.
Puerto Rico residents interested
in applying for the program can visit the Programa Acceso
Solar website to learn more.
"We've been providing reliable backup power solutions to the
people of Puerto Rico for more
than 20 years, including after Hurricane Maria devastated the
island's power grid and left 95% of residents without electricity,"
said Aaron Jagdfeld, president and
CEO at Generac. He added, "We are proud to be a recipient of this
DOE grant to provide clean, resilient, efficient power for those
who are often underserved during outages."
"The Programa Acceso Solar will have a transformative impact on
vulnerable households by improving access to reliable and
affordable energy," said Maria
Robinson, Director of DOE's Grid Deployment Office. "DOE is
pleased to partner with Generac to install residential solar and
battery storage systems across Puerto
Rico, improving energy resilience for households with some
of the greatest need."
Generac will be working with several companies to support
the program:
- Two community affiliates in this effort include PathStone, a
nonprofit organization providing community and workforce
development and humanitarian services in Puerto Rico since 1998 and the Interstate
Renewable Energy Council (IREC), a clean energy non-profit
established in 1982 that leads groundbreaking community programs
and market research, will together coordinate additional local
community efforts to serve as liaisons between Solar Ambassadors,
installers, and eligible recipients.
- FR-BLDM, a leading local contractor with years of government
program management experience will lead installations working with
other local, small, family-owned businesses in Puerto Rico.
- Juapi Energy, a PWRcell installer and Generac Service Dealer in
Puerto Rico will provide service
support to residents and will perform installations.
- Palmetto, a leading climate technology company accelerating the
adoption of clean energy, will extend three of its commercial
software applications: fintech platform, installation partner
portal, and asset management services, to help facilitate
homeowners' transition to solar and storage in Puerto Rico.
These companies will help lead workforce development and
training efforts that focus on providing jobs for residents in
vulnerable communities across Puerto Rico.
"Supporting local companies is an important part of our
objective to provide reliable and sustainable energy solutions to
Puerto Rico's most vulnerable
communities," said Norm Taffe,
president of Energy Technology at Generac. "By working with local
installers and businesses, we not only gain valuable on-the-ground
support but also foster job creation and community development.
This collaboration helps ensure that we can deliver high-quality,
resilient power solutions while uplifting the local workforce and
economy."
For more information, visit the Department of Energy Grid
Deployment Office website.
About Generac
Generac Power Systems (NYSE: GNRC)
is a leading energy technology company that provides backup and
prime power products and energy storage systems for home and
business applications, as well as energy monitoring and management
devices and services, along with other power products. Founded in
1959, Generac introduced the first affordable backup generator and
later created the automatic home standby generator category. The
Company has continued to expand its energy technology offerings in
its mission to lead the evolution to more resilient, efficient, and
sustainable energy solutions.
Media Contact: Jonathan
Stern
Jonathan.Stern@Generac.com
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SOURCE Generac Power Systems, Inc.