Costa Rica approved the preferential tariff for solar energy

Regulatory authority of public services of Costa Rica have determined preferential tariffs for solar PV installations, which will apply to entities operating within the system of net metering and independent solar arrays, up to 20 MW.

Green tariff promulgated by the regulatory authority last week, will be the same as that used in hydro billing. However, the final price may be discussed with the Institute of electricity of Costa Rica (Costa Rican Electricity Institute) or distributors of electricity in the country.

The established rates are intended to provide clarity in matters of financial compensation of photovoltaic plants, aimed at own consumption, with power up to 1 MW and for solar arrays, under the control of independent power producers with a capacity up to 20 MW, which by law can operate as frequent companies, and rural cooperatives for the production of electricity.



Costa Rica generates 90% of its energy from renewable sources, which are hydroelectric

Costa Rica approved the regulation on private consumption in the past month that made possible the sale of the excess produced solar energy back to the grid. The law also allows the use of micro-generators with power up to 100 kW and mini-generators with power up to 1 MW. In addition, a pilot program coordinated by the Institute of electricity of Costa Rica for the production of renewable energy for own consumption, has been running since 2010, in which at the end of last year was established about 750 kW of PV capacity.

In may 2012, the government of Costa Rica established a special tariff for hydroelectric power plants. The lowest bid was set at $0,0798 per kilowatt-hour, the average rate ranges from $0,1080 per kilowatt-hour, and the maximum available rate is $0,1363 per kilowatt-hour. Rate may change depending on high or low season and time of day. Thus, there are different rates for time of peak demand, low demand, and for night time.

Regulatory authorities in Costa Rica say that solar energy and other renewable energy sources can help companies reduce their energy costs in the dry season, when electricity rates are higher. Currently, in Costa Rica, a different combination of electricity from renewable sources is about 90% of electricity generation in the country. While hydropower is the main source of electricity in the country.

Source: aenergy.ru