Allocation: $75M

Provides renewable energy solutions for agrobusinesses and farmers to withstand energy instability and challenges, and secure food and agriculture sector, as a result.

The application process for the program begins on September 17, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. and
will be available until funding is depleted.

AGRO-ENERGY STABILITY PROGRAM

The Agro-Energy Stability Program* aims to provide renewable energy solutions for agrobusinesses and farmers by reinforcing their ability to withstand energy instability and challenges. Investing in renewable energy systems will ensure a steady power supply for sustaining businesses, which in turn, will result in a secure food and agriculture sector.

The Program will award grants to eligible Bona Fide Farmers for the design, acquisition, and installation of renewable solar energy projects to cover up to one hundred percent (100%) of their annual energy consumption.

GUIDELINES

FileAction
Program Guidelines (V1.0) -- Posted 07/30/2024Download

    *This program is referred in the CDBG-MIT Action Plan as the Farm & Energy Resilience Program (FER).

    Alerta

    For assistance or questions with your application:

    PathStone Corp.
    939-928-9438 (option #3)
    939-928-9433
    agroenergia@pathstone.org
    energyCDBG@vivienda.pr.gov

    Technical problems with the application:
    helpdeskpr@horne.com

    PROGRAM WORKFLOW

    Program Workflow

    Step 1: Program Intake
    Step 2: Program Eligibility Review
    Step 3: Underwriting
    Step 4: Environmental Review
    Step 5: Award determination and grant agreement execution
    Step 6: Project Implementation
    Step 7: Closeout

    ELIGIBILITY

    The applicant has to:

    Agricultor Bonafide

    Be an agricultural business certified as a Bona Fide Farmer by the Secretary of Agriculture.

    Eligible businesses include those engaged in the farming of fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy, among other kinds of food, for human or animal consumption, or as raw materials for the food industry.

    Propietrario

    Be the owner or have site control over the Participating Property.

    requisitos-establecidos-1

    Comply with all Organizational documents and Program requirements established in the Program Guidelines.

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    The Agro-Energy Stability Program has a minimum award requirement of $50,000.00 and a maximum of $250,000.00. Eligible applicants can receive an award for the installation of a photovoltaic system (PVS) and/or a Battery Storage System (BSS) of 100% of the eligible project costs or up to $250,000.00, whichever is lowest. The total project cost may not exceed the awarded amount.

    Foto de Placas
    Foto decorativa de Requisitos

    PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

    Only projects that have not started at the time of the application are eligible to receive awards under the Program. A project cannot begin until the Applicant and the Puerto Rico Department of Housing (PRDOH) execute a Grant Agreement for the award.

    Type of systems: (i) the installation of a new PVS with a BSS; (ii) the addition of a new BSS to an existing PVS, or (iii) an expansion of an existing PVS and BSS incorporation to address unmet load needs. The installation of a PVS without a BSS is not an eligible activity under the Program.

    Foto PVS decorativa
    PVS

    The Program will allow roof-mounted, ground-mounted, pole-mounted, or light frame (canopy) structure-mounted PVS installations, as long as they comply with all permitting requirements, laws, regulations, and codes.

    Roof-mounted installation should be considered as a first option if the property has an existing structure that can provide primary support for the system.

    Foto PVS decorativa
    BSS

    Batteries used for BSS shall have lithium-ion chemistry. Must be a behind-the-meter system. Therefore, it must be connected to the electric utility customer’s side of the electric meter.

    APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

    Identificación

    Government-issued photo Identification for all owners with 25% or more ownership in the business which may include:

    • Driver’s license;
    • Passport;
    • Military ID Card.
    Certificado deAgricultor
    • Bona Fide Farmer certificate issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.
    Evidencia deTitularidad
    • Evidence of ownership or site control.
    Documentación dela Organización
    • Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Puerto Rico Department of State.
    • Negative Debt Certification issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (“Hacienda”). If the Applicant is on a payment plan, they will need to provide proof of the agreement.
    • Certification of Income Tax Return Filing issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (“Hacienda”).
    • Income Tax Returns for the last three (3) years or, in the absence of Income Tax Returns, Business Financial Projections for the next three (3) taxable years.
    • Merchant Registration Certificate issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (“Hacienda”).
    • Copy of current Municipal Patent issued by the Municipality where the business is located, or proof of exemption under Article 7.206 of the Municipal Code (21 L.P.R.A. § 8168).
    Factura energéticay Cotizaciones
    • Electric utility bill, including history, received within three (3) months before the date of the application and issued in the name of the Applicant/Business; or an Electrical Load Study report certified by an Expert Electrician or Licensed Electrical Engineer.
    • Three (3) quotes provided by different Program-approved REICs for the Agro-Energy Stability Program (refer to the list of participating companies at (link).
    Documentaciónde DV
    • Completed PRDOH Acknowledgement and Consent Statement and Subrogation Agreement.
    • Completed PRDOH Duplication of Benefits Self-Certification (DOB); supporting documentation must be included, when applicable.
    • Completed PRDOH Conflict of Interest (COI) Disclosure Form.
    • Any other document requested by the Puerto Rico Department of Housing (PRDOH).

    APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

    Photo ID

    Government-issued photo Identification for all owners with 25% or more ownership in the business which may include:

    • Driver’s license;
    • Passport;
    • Military ID Card.

    Farmer Certificate

    • Bona Fide Farmer certificate issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.

    Evidence of Ownership

    • Evidence of ownership or site control.

    Organizational Documentation

    • Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Puerto Rico Department of State.
    • Negative Debt Certification issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (“Hacienda”). If the Applicant is on a payment plan, they will need to provide proof of the agreement.
    • Certification of Income Tax Return Filing issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (“Hacienda”).
    • Income Tax Returns for the last three (3) years or, in the absence of Income Tax Returns, Business Financial Projections for the next three (3) taxable years.
    • Merchant Registration Certificate issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (“Hacienda”).
    • Copy of current Municipal Patent issued by the Municipality where the business is located, or proof of exemption under Article 7.206 of the Municipal Code (21 L.P.R.A. § 8168).

    Energy Bill and Quotes

    • Electric utility bill, including history, received within three (3) months before the date of the application and issued in the name of the Applicant/Business; or an Electrical Load Study report certified by an Expert Electrician or Licensed Electrical Engineer.
    • Three (3) quotes provided by different Program-approved REICs for the Agro-Energy Stability Program (refer to the list of participating companies at (link).

    PRDOH Documentation

    • Completed PRDOH Acknowledgement and Consent Statement and Subrogation Agreement.
    • Completed PRDOH Duplication of Benefits Self-Certification (DOB); supporting documentation must be included, when applicable.
    • Completed PRDOH Conflict of Interest (COI) Disclosure Form.
    • Any other document requested by the Puerto Rico Department of Housing (PRDOH).

    Application Documents

    Please download and complete these documents to apply to the program.

    Application Documents
    Acknowledgement and Consent and Subrogation Agreement
    DOB Duplication of Benefits Self-Certification – Property Owner
    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form – Applicant
    Owner’s Consent for Program Participation
    Project System Quotation
    Selected Quote Cost Reasonableness Form

      List of Renewable Energy Installation Companies (REIC)

      Find out about approved REIC

      *They appear in random order each time you visit this page.