The future just got brighter for residents and business owners in Maricao, Puerto Rico. The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) has selected the community to develop a solar-plus-storage microgrid through the Puerto Rican Solar Business Accelerator (PRSBA), providing clean and affordable energy while enhancing local resilience to natural disasters.
One of the smallest municipalities in Puerto Rico, Maricao competed with 12 communities for the microgrid project, which will include approximately 75 kW in solar photovoltaic installations. The project will be located in the town center and benefit diverse community facilities including health care providers, banks, and other businesses that provide service to a population of about 5,430, creating a reliable and zero-emission energy system in an area that experiences daily power outages.
IREC will lead the support for Maricao in all phases of the microgrid project, with engineering and technical support from the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez and in partnership with a local 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, the Monte Azul Foundation. Funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and co-led by IREC and Pathstone Corporation, Inc., the PRSBA is helping transform Puerto Rico's energy system through solar workforce development, expanded finance options, and technical assistance to solar businesses.
"We are particularly enthusiastic about working with Maricao to achieve energy resiliency for their business sector. In this project we can tie community development with energy justice and resiliency to provide Maricao, one of the most isolated municipalities in Puerto Rico, an equal opportunity for a dependable and affordable energy infrastructure. This is a project that does justice to the current population of Maricao and brings with it the possibility of economic development for future populations," said Carlos Alberto Velázquez López, the Program Director for IREC in Puerto Rico.
Photos courtesy Monte Azul Foundation
Monte Azul submitted the application for the project and led community organizing efforts along with the municipal government, small business owners, and residents. Monte Azul focuses on sustainable economic development in Puerto Rico's rural areas by promoting a robust and equitable food system and energy justice. Monte Azul creates sustainable communities through its programming which includes agricultural workforce training, decentralizing energy production through supporting the development of solar microgrids, and promotion of widespread renewable energy adoption via community outreach and events.
"This is a game changer for Maricao," said Andrew Hermann, Executive Director of Monte Azul Foundation. "The town will benefit significantly from a sustainable energy source. It is a step in the right direction toward resilient energy and energy justice. The microgrid will increase the reliability of energy, which will enhance quality of life. The project will also reduce power outages and the cost of electricity for small business owners in town, creating a positive ripple effect in the local economy of Maricao."
Microgrids use solar energy and battery storage to provide a sustainable, local electricity source independent of the power grid. Maricao is the second community to be selected to develop a solar microgrid under this program. Castañer, located in the Cordillera Central in Puerto Rico, was the first.
Maricao's Mayor, Wilfredo "Juny" Ruiz Feliciano, expressed his excitement for the project and the positive impact it will have on the municipality. "The people of Maricao and I are very happy and excited that we have been selected to build the second photovoltaic electric microgrid in Puerto Rico through the PRSBA in collaboration with the Monte Azul Foundation. This is a simple and cost-effective way to reduce the electric power bill and to be resilient during future hurricanes that may pass through our region."
The mayor added: "Being able to produce our own energy provides greater resilience to any event that affects the fragile electrical power system we currently have. With the coming cost increases and system instability, the microgrid is the alternative to the present and future."
Maricao is an underserved, rural municipality of 5,430 people located in the southwest mountains of Puerto Rico, where 64.5% of people live below the federal poverty line. Historically a coffee growing community, Maricao has suffered from significant population loss due to a declining economy, lack of government incentives for agricultural jobs, and geographic isolation.
The new microgrid will build on other bold efforts to expand solar energy and local resilience in Maricao. Monte Azul recently announced a new initiative, Maricao Verde 2027, which aims to move Maricao's energy production to 100% renewable sources by 2027 through a rapid expansion of the solar microgrid and promoting residential solar installation. Maricao is also working toward designation under SolSmart, a program led by IREC that helps local governments encourage solar energy growth.
Monte Azul plans a Solar Fair on Earth Day, April 22, 2022, to commemorate the announcement of the solar microgrid and create a space for community members to learn and design a solar panel system that fits their needs.
About the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
IREC builds the foundation for rapid adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency to benefit people, the economy, and our planet. Its vision is a 100% clean energy future that is reliable, resilient, and equitable. IREC develops and advances the regulatory reforms, technical standards, and workforce solutions needed to enable the streamlined integration of clean, distributed energy resources. IREC has been trusted for its independent clean energy expertise for nearly 40 years, since its founding in 1982. For more information, visit www.irecusa.org or follow IREC on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
About Monte Azul Foundation
Monte Azul Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, focuses on sustainable economic development in Puerto Rico's rural areas focusing on promoting a robust and equitable food system through workforce training and creating sustainable communities through decentralizing energy production and promotion of widespread renewable energy adoption. For more information, visit www.monteazulfoundation.org or follow Monte Azul on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
Avery Palmer
Avery Palmer is Communications Projects Director at IREC. He is responsible for guiding the strategic direction of several flagship projects to advance the organization's mission and contribute to the success of its programs.
