pjantares
8/26/2019 15:21 EST
Hi, I know I can have solar panels installed for heating water. But has Uruguay progressed to the point of solar panel installation for household appliances including pumps?
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Vortice
8/27/2019 09:31 EST
China is making "too many" solar panels and while this has dropped the cost, quality varies widely. The panel performance usually drops off much faster than claimed. I have not yet done much searching for a source in UY. I have noticed that China seems to send their lower quality products to Uruguay, relative to that which they send to USA. ¡Ojo!
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StanleySankey
8/27/2019 13:45 EST
I know Uruguay allows for net metering for solar.
http://www.impo.com.uy/bases/decretos/173-2010/1
Does anyone know anyone that has actually connected their solar or wind generator to the grid?
If so, was it an easy process or painful?
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pjantares
8/27/2019 20:15 EST
My money is on 'painful'. Hope I am wrong. Thanks for the link. Are you using solar now?
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Vortice
8/28/2019 08:01 EST
I had originally planned to use small hydro electric power. UTE needs 24/7 access to the switching equipment on your property. This is a standard industry wide to protect linemen. All work must be done by licensed electricians also. I too vote headache.
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StanleySankey
8/29/2019 19:34 EST
I was planning to use solar on the cattle ranch I had as I was past were the electrical lines ran. I was about 500 m from where the power line ended. When I approached the utility company about net metering, they acted as if they had never heard of it before. I had to show them the legislation that demonstrated that they were obligated to purchase the excess power. In the end they just delayed and delayed and ultimately extended the power grid to my finca free of charge, which they are also obligated to do by the government. So ultimately I never installed the solar.
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pjantares
8/29/2019 20:48 EST
Thanks, Stanley. It sure sounds daunting. Glad they run the line out to your finca at least.
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papajohn
8/29/2019 21:12 EST
Frankly, Mr. Sankey, I must say, your story would make me bray about UTE and it's delay.
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StanleySankey
8/30/2019 07:49 EST
Just to clarify, I am currently in the Republic of Panama, where I have lived for the past 6 years. I am looking at relocation to Uruguay.
So, the battle I had was with the utility company here ETESA. Which is the same utility company in all the countries here in Central America.
Although it sounds like they are the same ilk as the utility company in Uruguay, and Canada too for that matter. More interested in bureaucracy and raising tariffs and looking after their shareholders than looking after their customers.
Exactly why I am back to researching off grid solutions.
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Vortice
8/30/2019 15:25 EST
As I understand it, Uruguay is now 97-100% renewable electricity generation. (peak demand periods requiring some Carbon use) That is a huge and rare accomplishment from a global perspective. The catch is that UTE promised that this would reduce electricity rates, which have since gone up. This from export.com "In the last 10 years, Uruguay has shifted dramatically to electricity from renewable sources. Currently 97 to 100 percent of electricity comes from renewable sources compared to just 40 percent as recently as 2012. At times, Uruguay has surplus electricity that it exports to Argentina and Brazil. Uruguay has become one of the leading countries in renewable energy generation, primarily from hydro (60 percent), with the remainder from wind, solar, and biofuels. In less than 10 years, the country has slashed its carbon footprint and lowered electricity costs, without government subsidies. A driving force behind the diversification of Uruguay's energy sector is a desire for energy security and independence."
Please note: "security and independence", a goal we might all aspire to, at least those with a bit of land. Dedicating more infrastructure such as water pumping, some lighting etc. to 12vdc. All that can be run on a 240v UTE to 12vdc power supply as back up if the PV is not able. Kind of a back-up for the back-up.
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StanleySankey
8/30/2019 22:27 EST
Thanks Vortice.
That was a very interesting article;
https://www.export.gov/article?id=Uruguay-Renewable-Energy-Equipment
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