By John McPhaul
jpmchaul@gmail.com
The Secretary of Housing, William Rodríguez Rodríguez, reported that today, he will open the first round of applications for the New Energy program, which under the CDBG-MIT recovery funds, will offer assistance of up to $30,000 for the purchase and installation of solar panels and rechargeable battery.
The New Energy program will accept applications through a system of rounds. The first will have a maximum amount of 3,000 shifts for people with maximum income levels of $11,700 for a one-person household and up to $22,000 for an eight-person household.
“The launch of this program, a priority for Gov. Pedro Pierluisi, is one of the most important for low-income Puerto Ricans, as it offers the opportunity for continuity of one of the most important services, such as electric power. We have designed this program to invest in self-sufficient energy systems that help our most vulnerable population be resilient to emergency events. We are confident that we will complete this first round successfully, to make way for receiving more applications,” said Rodríguez Rodríguez.
After participants get their turn, through a telephone line, website or an admissions center, they will have up to 120 days to gather the data and documentation necessary to submit a complete application to the program.
“We have designed the process so that participants do not have to feel the pressure to complete an application in a short period of time and that the renewable energy system installation companies that are participating in this program can respond to each request with agility,” explained the secretary.
To obtain one of the 3,000 shifts available, applicants must provide contact information, physical address, household composition, property ownership, primary residence, citizenship, and household income level, among other minimum requirements.
Those interested can obtain a ticket to apply to the New Energy Program starting Monday, March 27 from 8:00 am, through the nuevaenergia.pr application portal. gov, by calling 1-833-234-2324 or in person at a Program Intake Center located in San Juan, Caguas, Fajardo, Yabucoa, Ponce, Orocovis, Mayagüez, Isabela, Arecibo and Vega Alta.
The secretary explained that after obtaining a ticket, participants will have up to 120 days to prove that they live in a single-family home and that it is their primary residence. At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien. Applicants must prove that they own or have an ownership interest in the home and household income must not exceed the income level eligible for the round.
All the specifications and requirements of the program are already available in the guides published on the nuevaenergia.pr.gov website, in which Vivienda will also publish the list of installation companies registered to work with the program.