Full homeowner facing packet here ---> Beneficiary Information Packet
Sample Puerto Rico Contract here ---> Sample Puerto Rico Contract
1) Setting Expectations About the Program
The program is supported by a federal Department of Energy (DOE) grant, and overseen by the DOE's Grid Deployment Office (GDO).
All systems are sold as a PV + Storage bundle. The program goals are to install affordable distributed energy systems to support Puerto Rico's grid and homeowners.
The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in this program is a financial arrangement where the beneficiary pays an agreed-upon monthly rate over the 20 year span of the contract.
The beneficiary does not own the system and is not required to make a down payment or pay for repairs or installation costs – they are only responsible for their monthly payment.
2) Qualifying
Homeowners are pre-qualified by the DOE.
Home/site must meet LightReach eligibility requirements.
Electrical upgrades are permissible up until $3,000 to make the home solar ready.
3) Signing & NTP (M0) Requirements
Customer must have access to their home.palmetto.com account (IE internet access of some kind).
ACH is recommended at point of sale for all customers.
NTP (Notice to Proceed) requirements can be found here.
4) Performance Guarantee Details
If the solar system generates less energy than we guaranteed over a 24-month period, we'll credit you for the difference. We calculate this by multiplying the shortfall in kWh by your guaranteed price per kWh, ensuring you're compensated fairly.
If your system produces more energy than promised, we'll carry over the extra to offset any future deficits, and any additional energy over the contract term is yours at no extra cost.
5) Customer Billing Expectations
Energy Plan (PPA) billing is standard for all customers, regardless of system details.
Standard billing: $42.50 with a 1% Escalator.
Homeowner will receive first bill ~30 days after activation.
6) Homeowner Web Portal
Customers can view their pending tasks on their web portal account at home.palmetto.com
Track their project process and access system's production after activation.
Power outages
In the vent of a power outage, the beneficiary's battery will turn on and begin to power devices in the home. When the sun is shining, the solar system will continue to work and either charge the battery or flow power to the home.
The system is designed to cover the “critical loads” for about 2-3 days during a power outage (including days when the sun is not shining very brightly and the solar system may not produce as much as usual). It’s very important to conserve energy during an outage, because the system is sized using estimates based on how much energy you used in the past.
Conservation of energy
Unplug or turn off any items that are not being used. Prioritize only the necessities, like medical devices and lights. Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. If the sky is cloudy, then it’s especially important to conserve energy as your solar system will not be replenishing the battery as quickly.
Critical Loads
An electrical “load” is anything that requires electricity in the home, like an outlet or a light switch. A “critical load” is any outlet or device in the home that is the most important to keep running during a power outage.
If there are medical devices in the home, critical loads will be any outlets or devices that are needed in an outage to continue to power the medical devices or charge them, plus any other home outlets up to the cap set by the program (about 75% of the historical usage).
If there are no medical devices in the home, the system will be sized to cover about 75% of daily consumption based on how much electricity was used historically. This assumes that about 75% of the electricity used on any day is critical during an outage.
1 | If Utility Account holder and Contract holder are different people? | The relationship between these persons must be made clear during submission. |
2 | Payment Options | Input via customer's home.palmetto.com account. ACH recommended for all customers. Other options may be available after sign up, however, customers are required to contact our Customer Support team to review these. |
3 | How will customers contact LightReach? | Contact Palmetto CX via phone (855) 339-1831, email [email protected] |