Hello, solar enthusiasts! Welcome to another fascinating post on the progress, potentials, and possibilities of solar in different parts of the world. Let’s focus today on our magnificent island neighbor to the south—Puerto Rico. I’m excited to share how Puerto Rico is emerging as a beacon of light in the solar industry, and the challenges it faces as it blazes its trail towards a renewable future.
Firstly, permit me to share the rather impressive fact that, in 2020, Puerto Rico surpassed all U.S states in per-capita rooftop solar installations. It led the pack, showcasing how an island territory can grow its renewable energy generation significantly within a short period–from 4% to 12% in three years, to be precise. This growth trend is projected to continue, with experts predicting it will hit 18-20% by next year.
Here’s something else to brighten your day: given the current trends, Ohm Analytics predicts that by 2028, Puerto Rico will account for 10% of the entire U.S. residential solar market. This forecast reveals the immense value that Puerto Rico’s dedication to solar brings to the industry. The success achieved by Puerto Rico serves as an inspiration that solar panels for your home are far from a distant dream, but a reality that many are already living and benefiting from.
But of course, every sunshine has its shadow, and Puerto Rico’s solar success story is no different. A potential challenge presents itself in the form of a dispute over a law that extended the territory’s solar net metering policy (the policy allowing solar energy owners to feed electricity they do not use back into the grid) till 2031. This advantageous policy is now being contested by the Financial Oversight and Management Board, a federal entity. Despite the dispute, it is essential to remember that net metering systems have immense potential benefits beyond just immediate cost savings for individual homes—it increases the efficiency of the grid, reduces peak demand, and can provide additional value from avoided transmission.
Undoubtedly, the solar companies playing in the Puerto Rican market are pioneering a significant shift towards a renewable future. Their tireless efforts have not only pushed the bounds on what a small island territory can achieve, but also set a high bar for other regions to aspire to.
Considering setting up a solar array for home use? Take inspiration from Puerto Rico – you’re not merely investing in economical renewable energy, but you’re playing an important role in creating a sustainable planet.
As we watch Puerto Rico’s solar journey unfold, we’re reminded that every solar panel installed, every solar company making a difference, and every home and business that chooses solar, brings us one step closer to a future where clean, renewable, and economically viable power is the norm, not the exception.
Solar is not just the industry of the future—it’s the industry of today. Let’s remember Puerto Rico’s example, and let’s keep the solar progress going, one panel, one home, one company at a time.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/04/16/puerto-ricos-solar-net-metering-law-at-risk-from-federal-oversight-board/
