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Un técnico con casco y chaleco revisa un medidor eléctrico en un tejado con paneles solares en una comunidad caribeña.
Paneles solares y un medidor de medición neta en un tejado de una comunidad caribeña. · Imagen generada EPM

New grid charge for solar panel users to start in November

From November 1, certain solar panel customers on BTS-1 and BTS-2 tariffs under the Net Metering Program since before October 2021 will pay an additional…

--- The context --- Customers with solar panels who deliver surplus electricity to the system form part of the distributed generation framework regulated in the country. Within that framework, the southern electricity distribution company told its self-generating customers about a change in the billing scheme established by the Electricity Superintendency. --- The facts --- Starting on November 1, the distributor will apply a new charge for use of the electricity grid to certain customers with solar panels. The measure responds to Resolution SIE-007-2026-REG, which regulates the approval, interconnection and operation of distributed generation installations, and appears in article 19, numeral 1, literal e, of the Regulation. In this first phase, the measure will reach users on tariffs BTS-1 and BTS-2 under the Net Metering Program (PMN) since before October 2021. They will keep paying the fixed charge and energy consumption, plus an additional amount: the energy injected into the grid multiplied by 25 % of the energy charge for their assigned tariff. --- The positions --- According to the information provided by the distributor, the customers covered will continue paying the usual charges, corresponding to the fixed charge and energy consumption, together with the new amount for use of the grid. The self-generators reached will have to consider that new item within their billing in this first stage. --- What remains unknown --- The available information defines the formula and the group reached, but it does not detail how the new item will be presented on each bill or what will happen with users outside BTS-1 and BTS-2 or who joined the Net Metering Program after the 2021 cutoff date. --- Unanswered questions --- How will the new charge be shown on the bill of each customer reached by this first phase? What treatment will users outside the BTS-1 and BTS-2 group enrolled before October 2021 receive? Will there be further stages of application, and which groups would they reach? --- EPM analysis --- Those who inject surplus power will remain connected to a shared grid and will see that use reflected in their billing. The practical key will be the clarity of the calculation, because each customer will need to verify on the bill the energy injected and the energy charge of the assigned tariff. 📌 EPM Take: In EPM's view, the measure should be read carefully and without alarm, because its initial scope is delimited by tariff, program and enrollment date, and it does not generally reach all users with solar panels. Each customer in the BTS-1 and BTS-2 group enrolled before October 2021 should review the bill from November 1, check the energy injected attributed to them and verify that the calculation respects the 25 % established in the cited rule.
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