The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) and Green Solutions International SKN Incorporated (GSI) have signed a three-year memorandum of understanding to collaborate on clean energy, community resilience, sustainable infrastructure and workforce development across Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean. The agreement was signed by Agnes Crespo Quintana, IBTS director of Caribbean operations, and Dr. Wayne E. Archibald, GSI founder and chief executive officer.
Under the framework, the nonprofit organizations will explore training and certification programs in solar photovoltaic systems, battery energy storage and microgrid operations, along with projects on building safety, construction codes, inspections, permitting and resilience standards. Additional areas may include energy efficiency, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation to improve community preparedness and recovery. The memorandum also creates a framework for identifying funding through grants, cooperative agreements, public-private partnerships, government contracts and international development programs, and may include educational programs, instructor training and new training centers.
Crespo Quintana said the alliance integrates specialized knowledge to address community needs and could help strengthen infrastructure and expand employment. Archibald said the agreement combines GSI’s regional experience and workforce training with IBTS' technical expertise. Specific initiatives will depend on opportunities identified and individual projects developed under the memorandum.