By The Star Staff
Consumer Affairs (DACO by its Spanish acronym) Secretary Hiram Torres Montalvo, along with the Master Electricians Association President Frances Berríos Meléndez, urged consumers on Thursday to corroborate that people who install solar energy systems in their homes are licensed as an expert electrician or electrical engineer, certified by the Public Energy Policy program of the Economic Development and Commerce Department (DDEC).
“With the entry of the Housing Department’s New Energy program, we expect a marked increase in the number of PV [photovoltaic] system installations in Puerto Rico,” Torres Montalvo said. “For this reason, at DACO we have established parameters to ensure that these new facilities associated with the program are carried out by people duly registered for these purposes. Likewise, we urge consumers that when evaluating options for the purchase and installation of solar systems, corroborate that the technicians who would do the work are licensed electrical experts or electrical engineers, all certified by the DDEC.”
Berríos Meléndez, meanwhile, noted that “only electrical experts and electrical engineers have the knowledge to calculate what the electrical needs of a home are and the safest way to install solar equipment that frees a family from using the traditional expensive electricity supply that it consumes today.”
DDEC Secretary Manuel Cidre Miranda also urged consumers to orient themselves before choosing a company or technicians to install photovoltaic systems.
“We recommend that when installing your renewable energy equipment, you always request the certification issued by the DDEC’s Public Energy Policy Program,” he said.
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