Sunnova Energy Corporation, the largest provider of distributed, residential solar power in Puerto Rico, delivered a letter to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), along with copies to its governing board, and Governor Rosselló in advance of PREPA’s board meeting this week. The letter details PREPA’s continued inaction and reluctance to work cooperatively with Sunnova. In the aftermath of Irma and Mariá, Sunnova has been working with its employees and the island’s government to assist in providing customers with access to solar electricity. However, inaction on PREPA’s part has made it difficult to complete projects in a timely manner. It is Sunnova’s hope that the board will be supportive of Sunnova’s work to assist in the recovery and restoration of electricity for its customers, and to create a more resilient, long-term power solution for the island’s energy infrastructure system.
Following years of regulatory hurdles sanctioned by PREPA, which have inhibited clean, renewable energy through a competitive market, the utility continues to obstruct Sunnova’s ability to connect customers’ solar systems to the grid. The letter, dated December 13, 2017 was delivered in hopes of breaking through the gridlock that has been created by the utility. In the letter, Sunnova states that, “As of today, PREPA has not complied with the Governor’s Executive Order, which unfortunately creates a situation that casts a shadow over PREPA’s efforts and commitment to expeditiously bring back power to its clients, and commitment to its obligations. Sunnova hereby requests a final and definitive date to complete this process.”
Speaking on behalf of Sunnova, Chief Executive Officer William J. (John) Berger said, “Continued non-compliance, inaction, and defiance of explicit orders from the Governor cannot be ignored. As we have done historically, since our first customer on the island, we can and will continue to push through these roadblocks to provide energy that is more reliable, flexible, affordable and resilient to Puerto Ricans—and that includes solutions with solar plus energy storage (batteries). We hope that PREPA sees the impact we could be making together to bring reliable and resilient power to the island and opts to work with us as a partner rather than an opponent.”
“The lack of power over three months, and the reluctance of PREPA to work with companies like ours, continues to hinder relief and recovery efforts on the island—to the detriment of local residents. Now, more than ever, we must all be working with each other, not against each other.”