Greetings to all my fellow solar enthusiasts! Ready for a deep dive into the current goings-on within the intriguing realm of solar power? Today, we’ll be unpacking some remarkable events in Puerto Rico, which is currently experiencing legislative drama around its net metering law related to solar energy.
The Solar and Energy Storage Association of Puerto Rico (SESA-PR) recently requested the White House to appoint pro-solar members to the federal oversight board that has opposed net metering law. Net metering is a crucial facet of solar power usage, allowing homeowners with solar panels to offset the cost of power drawn from the utility grid with surplus energy generated by their own solar array.
This call to action by the association comes after the oversight board, which is comprised of six members, has challenged Puerto Rico’s present net metering law. To give you a taste of the scale of this situation, imagine if local solar companies your neighbor hired to install solar panels for your home were suddenly faced with regulatory obstacles. That’s the kind of challenge Puerto Rico’s solar industry is experiencing right now.
On the other side of the coin, Eduardo Bhatia, former president of the Puerto Rico Senate, proposed on a webinar to consider amending the net metering law. He expressed hope for collaboration and productive discussions on changes to the current legal landscape.
One of the key facts you need to know about this board is its ability to challenge Puerto Rican laws in court and request their repeal. This authority could have significant implications on whether homes in Puerto Rico can effectively continue using solar panels for their energy needs.
A notable detail in this ongoing saga is Puerto Rico’s current installed solar capacity. Thanks to net metering, the island has installed 800 MW of solar power. This not only saves money for the people of Puerto Rico but also reduces the incidence of power blackouts. Additionally, as an attractive side benefit, the necessity for fossil fuels for energy generation has dramatically lessened.
However, things could have been even brighter. SESA-PR President PJ Wilson revealed a disheartening update that the oversight board, in opposition to solar energy advancement, canceled 450 MW of utility-scale solar in 2021 after years of negotiations. If these projects had launched as planned, Puerto Rico’s renewable energy levels would have increased from 12% to 17%.
Governor Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico has called for more time to reply to these legislative challenges, indicating that this drama isn’t over yet. Puerto Rico’s solar future hangs in the balance, urging all solar companies, stakeholders, and enthusiasts to keenly follow these developments.
To sum it up, the situation brewing in Puerto Rico underscores the urgent need for supportive legislative frameworks and regulatory bodies that prioritise solar advancement. It’s a reminder for all of us investing in a solar array for home use or advocating for more extensive solar power availability—we must support initiatives that let the sunshine in, unhindered.
Stay tuned for more updates on the solar industry and, as always, keep reaching for the sun!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/05/14/two-approaches-to-save-net-metering-in-puerto-rico/
