A bill aims to have solar energy producers charge the difference between what they supply to and what they consume from the power grid.
The initiative could reach Nicaraguan Congress before the end of 2013. "We are working on the law for everyone who wants to produce and consume their own electricity, so that they can pay only the difference between what they use, in relation to what they deliver to the network (with solar panels)," said the president of the company Tecnosol, Vladimir Delagneau.
In light of the energy crisis, public companies, the private sector and institutions will be reviewing and promoting new strategies to help mitigate the high cost of energy.
On 9th and 10th of October there will be a gathering in Panama of industrialists, electrical engineers, power generators, technology companies and other stakeholders in the electricity sector.
Companies specializing in renewable energy will visit the country in the first week of June to offer advice, financing and technology in photovoltaics, wind and water.
From 3 to June 7 an event will be held in Panama dedicated to renewable energies and on Tuesday, June 4th the Renewable Energy Symposium 'Made in Germany' will be held at the Marriott in Panama City, sponsored by the Ministry of Economy and Technology of Germany, which seeks to support German companies in expanding into foreign markets, in this case in Panama and other Central American countries.
Nicaragua has inaugurated a modern plant for photovoltaic power generation, with 5880 solar panels capable of generating 1.38 MW.
Located in the municipality of Diriamba in the province of Carazo province, 59 kilometers south of Managua, the project required an investment of $11.9 million, of which $11.4 million was donated by the Government of Japan and the rest was provided by the National Treasury.
A regional legal framework is required that will allow for long-term contracts, not only between countries but also between plants located in one country selling power to another.
Central America’s electrical integration requires not only enabling the Electrical Interconnection System but also an appropriate regional framework.
With the current drive seen in several Central American countries to develop power generation projects, it is essential to look beyond national perspectives and visualize the possibilities for optimization of available resources and complementation of the energy matrices of the region.
Organized by the Union of Industrialists of Panama (SIP) and the Secretary of Energy, the event will be held on 10th and 11th of October at the Hotel El Panama.
As has become traditional, this symposium will bring together more than one hundred professionals related to energy, industrial companies other economic activities, as well as representatives from public institutions.
With an investment of $12 million financed by Japan, a plant is being built in LaTrinidad, Diriamba, which will have 534 solar panels that produce 900 Kw.
"A part of the energy will go to the community of La Trinidad, which does not have this service, and another part will be sold. The project is being coordinated by a delegation from Japan, the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the city of Diriamba," reported Laprensa.com.ni.
Not too long ago it was difficult to get funding for solar projects. Currently, 15% returns are attracting investors like Warren Buffet, Google and Metlife.
A short time ago investing in solar power generation was risky unless it had the guarantee of backing from the United States government, but today, the outlook for profits, around 15% of the investment, has made it an attractive business to get into.
The Taiwanese company, Speed Tech, has confirmed plans to install a solar panel factory with an investment of $10 million.
The announcement was made by the presidential delegate for investment, Alvaro Baltodano, who said: "They, after the exchange (the talks) confirmed the decision to invest in Nicaragua and we hope that in August when a very important investment meeting, organized by Pro Nicaragua, will be held in Nicaragua, these investors will come and we hope that Taiwan officially announces (the plans) there. "
The fourth Latin American forum on solar energy will be held From 16 to 21 May in Managua.
The forum, sponsored by the European Union, will bring together experts in the subject in order to publicize results of successful projects in the region and share experiences.
The head of the European Commission (CE in Spanish) for Central America and Panama, Mendel Goldstein, stated at a press conference that "...
Interest is being drawn chiefly to ventures in the technology sector.
In order to take advantage of the free trade agreement signed by both countries, representatives of the Nicaraguan private enterprise will promote closer ties with Taiwanese companies interested in investing in the country.
September will see the arrival on Nicaraguan soil of a delegation of Asian entrepreneurs who have already expressed interest in participating in technology projects, specifically in solar panels.
With Japan's help, Nicaragua is to build its first photovoltaic project capable of producing more than 900 kilowatts of solar electricity.
A donation from the Japanese government will enable the Nicaraguan Ministry of Energy and Mines to develop a joint project with the town of Diriamba to produce solar power, the first of its kind in Central America and the first in Nicaragua on such a large scale, according to Bismarck Pérez, the local Mayor.
Speed Tech, which specializes in manufacturing of solar panels and solar based products, is discussing the installation of a power plant in the country.
Taiwan's ambassador in Nicaragua, without commenting on the amount of investment, said that there are advanced negotiations between representatives of the company, the investment promotion agency (ProNicaragua) and the Foreign Ministry.