Solar panels: how much do they cost and how can they be supplied to save on electricity bills

Ang solar energy It is an alternative to traditional current power sources. Gradually, due to its benefits for the environment and economic savings, it is starting to become more and more popular. And even for a particular user it still doesn’t have too many applications, small and medium enterprises they can take advantage of a hybrid system that generates resources from solar panels.

The amount of sunlight that reaches the earth’s surface in an hour and a half is enough to supply the world’s energy consumption for an entire year. The historical problem has always been how to collect this energy: the panels do exactly this work.

The second problem always has to do with cost: solar energy requires more expensive technology to store, compared to traditional ones. But the potential of solar energy is enormous, because the Earth receives daily in the form of solar energy about 200,000 times the total daily capacity of electricity generation in the world.

In this context, Argentine companies such as ALP Group provide installation of panels so that small and medium-sized companies can access this type of renewable energy.

“If we stop at the economic benefits for companies, there are many reasons for investing in photovoltaic panels. For example, in provinces with above average rates. AR $ 6.5kw/H and suppose that the adjustment of only half of inflation per year, the savings in electricity consumption pays 20 kw project for itself for 5 years”, He explained to Clarion Ignacio Ayanz, founding partner of the company.

“But also because law 27,424 (known as the“ Distributed Energy Law ”) is regulated, there are tax benefits in the provinces that comply with the law, which allows to shorten the investment repayment term to 4 years (instead of 5 years) as a result of applying for a Tax Credit Certificate ”, he added.

This system is interesting because it allows solar energy to be stored and, if not used, provide it to the general power grid. And this results not only in energy savings for the community, but also in a reduction in electricity bills.

“In terms of environmental benefits, the panels reduce the CO2 footprint, avoid the use of pollution sources for energy generation and lower the ambient temperature, working with thermal insulation,” he added, as a benefit associated with the environment.

How do solar panels work and what is “two-way energy”

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems use mirrors to reflect and focus sunlight on receivers that collect solar energy and convert it into heat, which can then be used to produce electricity or store for later use. It is mainly used in very large power plants, but it has gradually been expanded to intermediate uses.

“The solar panels connect directly to the main board of the property’s electricity meter. This means that energy consumption first uses what is generated along with the panels and then, or in parallel, what comes from the national electricity grid. Where, the user does not realize what energy he is using, Since it has no batteries, it’s all on the grid. That’s where the savings come in.”, Explained the expert.

“To graph the growth of distributed generation, the Ministry of Energy reported in January 2022 that the number of KW installed and connected to the network almost tripled (it reached 9,824 kW in January 2022 compared to 3,599 kW last year ) “, he added.

Furthermore, it is also important to underline that Córdoba concentrated 59% of that installed power due to two factors: first, because the rates in Córdoba are some of the best in the country; second, due to the high levels of radiation in that province. In distributed energy law, the possibility of injecting surpluses into the distribution network empowers the user, who begins to play an active role in relation to their electricity consumption ”, he explains.

In the example provided by the company, an SME installed in Córdoba could save the entire investment for what the panels form and contribute to the provincial energy system.

This results, for example, if on a Sunday there is no consumption but there is energy generation, that energy comes from the solar panels and leaves the house via the meter. and goes to the network, generating credit in favor of the client.

Plans to buy them: installments, financing and prices

ALP has a lending system with different types of financing, 12 months or one of 60 installments where there is no initial disbursement. “Installation and 60 equal installations are paid to use a purchase option for 10% of the value. Purchase includes pre-engineering, design, installation, the commission and if it is leasing also preventive maintenance for 5 years ”.

In addition, it explains that a certification has been made. “Certification means that when the installation is complete, a certified installer makes sure everything is working properly and signs it through the platform from the Ministry of Energy, approving that and modifying the traditional meter for bidirectional.”

“The price of the panels is very relative because it depends on the type of support, location and so on. But on average it costs an official thousand dollars per kilowatt. An installation of 50 average kilowatts gives you between 6 and 7 thousand kilowatt hours of energy per month. It depends on the rate it will give you the savings”, He clarified.

“Once the lease term ends, the client gets energy production for another 20 years without associated costs. Acquiring a panel acts as an energy pre-purchasedeveloping predictability, something that in Argentina today is not a small detail “, he concludes.

So, despite the proposal of this company, the truth is that various SMEs are already using this system, which is a step forward not only in saving but also in environmental protection.

As the jargon says, an absolute “win-win”.

SL