Measure to cancel $300 fee for customers with solar systems clears House in unanimous vote

By THE STAR STAFF

Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez announced Thursday that the legislative body approved, with the support of the Popular Democratic Party [PDP], the Puerto Rican Independence Party, and the Dignity Project party, Joint Resolution 193, ordering LUMA Energy, the private operator of the island’s electric power transmission and distribution system, to immediately cease charging all fees for the Supplemental Study and grid improvements that would have been required for systems up to 25 kilowatts by Regulation Number 8915.

“In the House of Representatives, we put our actions where our word was with the people,” the House speaker said. “From the beginning, we have been against the $300 fee, and today, in a tripartisan effort, we approved Joint Resolution 193, ordering LUMA Energy to immediately stop charging this or any similar fee.”

The legislation, approved 41-0, eliminates customer charges for photovoltaic systems with a capacity of less than 25 kilowatts and directs the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau to adopt modern standards by completing a new Interconnection Regulation. In the relevant cases, any modifications or improvements that may be required will be corrected by the transmission and distribution system operator.

“The use of photovoltaic energy systems in Puerto Rico has experienced a significant increase in the last five years,” noted Rep. Víctor Parés Otero, the main author of the measure. “According to Juan Saca, president of LUMA Energy, there were approximately 110,000 residences in Puerto Rico with photovoltaic energy systems as of December 31, 2023. Imposing a charge on these families would be a moral blow to this industry.”

“These charges in Regulation Number 8915 are contrary to the spirit and letter of the public policy declared in Act 17-2019, better known as the Puerto Rico Energy Public Policy Act, which establishes as a requirement that 100 percent of the energy produced in Puerto Rico be renewable by 2050,” the San Juan District 4 legislator added.

“Access to renewable energy must be accessible to all,” added Rep. Héctor Ferrer Santiago, the PDP minority leader. “With this resolution, we are telling LUMA and PREPA [the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority] that they have stopped putting obstacles in the way of citizens seeking cleaner and more economical alternatives. Puerto Rico needs an energy policy that puts people first.”