With the new provisions of the Federal Government regarding energy policy, the process for their installation could become more complicated.

Savings and ecology were the reasons that motivated Cristina's family to choose to install 16 photovoltaic panels to generate energy for their home. Now, thanks to this installation, they have managed to reduce their bill, which averaged 2,500 pesos per month, to just forty-eight pesos.

"We made the decision (to install them) last year. In the middle of the year, the first 8 panels were installed, and the other half at the end of the year."

Cristina admits that the investment required to have this technology at home is a significant amount, but it is worth it because it "is recovered quickly" and also has other economic benefits that go beyond the savings seen on the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) bill:

"From paying between 2,000 and 3,000 pesos for electricity, we now pay forty-eight pesos; it is also tax-deductible. They give you a discount on property tax when you provide proof that you have sustainable energy."

According to Article 34 of the Income Tax Law, up to 100% of machinery and equipment for generating energy from renewable sources can be deducted.

Cristina recommends that when deciding to use this system, the needs of each family should be taken into account. For example, in her house, where 6 people live, the installation of a photovoltaic water heater was considered, but the idea was discarded because "it doesn't give very good results since there are many of us."

Like them, thousands of families in Jalisco take advantage of the benefits of renewable energy to spend less and contribute to ecology. However, experts warn that after the publication of the Reliability, Security, Continuity, and Quality Policy for the National Electric System in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF), choosing these measures will be more complicated in the future because this text limits renewable energies, claiming that due to their intermittency, "they expose the National Electric System to financial damage."

Installation of solar panels will be slower and more expensive

In 2018, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) allowed users of photovoltaic panels to generate their own energy and even sell their surplus under the net billing scheme and the total energy sales scheme.

Although the investment in solar cells can cost at least 40,000 pesos, it is an option to reduce spending on the electricity bill by up to 97%. But with the new official provisions, the process for their installation could become more complicated.

Elie Villeda, business director for Mexico and Central America at First Solar, pointed out that until now there was a quick process when someone wanted to install solar panels. "You could have them in a week. Now we will experience longer processes where we will have to see which provisions will be required, since the criteria in the law itself are not clear."

They will file an injunction to reactivate a $10 million project in Jalisco

Fortius Electromecánica announced that it will file an injunction against the suspension of new photovoltaic and wind energy parks as contemplated in the Reliability, Security, Continuity, and Quality Policy of the National Electric System (SEN), published last week by the Ministry of Energy (Sener).

This company currently operates the Fortius Jalisco 1 solar park in Zacoalco de Torres, in which an investment of 20 million dollars (MDD) was made in two stages. The second stage, which required an investment of 10 million dollars, has been halted due to this agreement.

"Fifty percent of our generation plant, which is small, is stopped; they have kept eight megawatts (MW) offline, and the other eight MW are operating because it is a system that was accepted three years ago," said Sergio Alcalde, director of Fortius Electromecánica.

He detailed that this situation affects job creation and the company because they stop receiving income from the sale of energy that had already been agreed upon with different industrial and commercial sector clients.

At the national level, it is an economic and employment blow for the entire energy sector and generates great distrust among investors to continue with these projects, Alcalde stated. "These actions are nothing more than abuses."

In addition to the Fortius solar farm in Zacoalco, other solar and wind energy projects located in Zapotlanejo and Los Altos de Jalisco are being affected, as well as companies that were developing new projects with an economic impact of 388 million dollars.

Suspension will affect people's health

In addition to the economic impact on users and companies, the Federal government's decision will affect the health of Mexicans.

Renewable energy expert Elie Villeda assured that burning fuel oil harms the possibility of having cleaner days, especially during these periods of reduced economic activity due to the pandemic.

"The best example is the thermoelectric plant in Mexico City, which constantly pollutes. Higher carbon emissions mean more respiratory diseases," he declared.

He added that citizens are in a position to "demand renewable energy. The CFE (Federal Electricity Commission) can generate it; they don't have to stick with fuel oil."

David Rodríguez, a member of the Mexican Solar Energy Association (Asolmex), explained that fuel oil is not viable. "It is cheaper, but it is such obsolete technology that it would be better to burn coal."

According to the National Electric System Development Program 2019-2033 from the Ministry of Energy (Sener), by 2024 Mexico must have a minimum usage of 35% clean energy to generate electricity.

The Government's methods are concerning

The Mexican Solar Energy Association (Asolmex) considers that the Federal government is taking advantage of the COVID-19 contingency to approve legislation aligned with its political agenda, affecting the development of renewable energies, and advanced that they will seek legal avenues to protect the industry.

"The real concern is that they use this pandemic to justify a return to highly polluting technologies, that due to whims and agenda they change fundamental issues in ways that should not be allowed," said David Rodríguez, a member of Asolmex.

INFORMATION TAKEN FROM:

https://www.informador.mx/economia/Con-paneles-solares-familia-baja-gasto-de-luz-de-2-mil-500-a-48-20200524-0016.html