Act residential generation in Chile

For a decade the energy issue became relevant to our country. The dependence on fossil fuels each year becomes more expensive and less profitable. In addition, the environmental impact is evident worldwide: melting poles, climate changes, gaps in the ozone layer, among others. This pattern has been the importance of implementing public policies that promote the use of clean energy and requiring greater participation of citizens.
Valentina Collao
In March of this year in Chile, the Law 20,571 of Net Metering or Distributed Generation Act that allows a residence that has implemented a clean energy system, it can connect to the local distribution network and inject energy into the system. When energy is injected into the system, the meter operates in a reverse direction, ie at the end of the month, the customer only pays for the net energy consumption, resulting in total consumption minus total resources ( or new energy surplus) generated.

This works for example, connecting the solar panels to an inverter, which in turn, is connected to the distribution network normal (plug). The objective of this inverter is transform energy from the photovoltaic panel current (DC) to alternating current (AC), which is used in national energy distribution system. Furthermore regulates power at 220 volts for proper injection to the public network.
In particular, this law despite having been approved by Congress, is still being modified for more effective implementation. Sustainable Chilean President, Sara Larrain told through various opinion columns that this project had misconceptions: "Chilean legislation should mention Net Billing, not Net Metering".

The Net Billing works the same way as the Net Metering, however the first user punishes the energy injected down the cost entered by the energy distribution networks. Which results in a slow pay to renewable energy investment. Gwendolyn Ledger, communications officer Sustainable Chile also explains: "There is no symmetry between the price at which it sells and the price at which the producer buys home: Net Metering with me power company sells to 100 k / w time and I sell it at the same price. With the Net Billing she sells at 100 but I only 50 or 40. "
The investment for a home run comfortably, should be 1000 watts, which varies between two and three million, depending on the origin of the product.Also you should add $ 700,000 to buy the investors who converted electricity to adhere to the distribution network.

Photovoltaic panels on the north
Combarbalá is by far one of the hottest, driest districts of region IV. Limarí located in the valley, is also one which has a higher index of UV radiation in the area. Here, temperatures range between 33 ° and 35 ° during December, January and February. What for EcoMaipo experts seemed an ideal setting for the implementation of the first photovoltaic neighborhood in Chile.
During the first days of December 2011 opened the "Southern Cross Portal", which included installation SERVIU building housing 114 to a committee of residents of the municipality and its environs. With the support of the German company engaged in the planning and distribution of solar energy systems, HAWI Energietechnik, Intervent SA and the NGO "Engineers Without Borders" was held throughout the implementation of this condo structural solar.
This neighborhood is comprised of 114 households of 42.3 m2, have two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and living room. From the beginning it was planned to make 100% use of solar energy that abounded in the area. To take full advantage of externalities (arid, high UV radiation) the houses were built to the north and an inclination of 30 °. All this with the aim of reducing heat loss in winter and minimize the consumption of traditional heating.
This 'neighborhood' always aimed to use the physical context in which it is implemented and extract the maximum benefits to generate an efficient energy distribution system, which not only allowed to get hot water through heat panels, but also count on her own power plant that produces 10.6 kW Central to connect directly to the electricity distribution network, Conafe (responsible for power distribution in the region). Ideally, the energy produced would be bought by the network and then injected into the core supply.
The whole process of project planning preceded the implementation of Law 20,571 or Net Metering Act, which regulates residential power generation, in simple terms is the self-generation of electricity (through solar panels, water mills or any other clean energy system) and subsequent injection of central distribution system, law fixed remuneration plus the surpluses occur when generating energy.
The incorporation of the Net Metering as new precedent for promoting clean energy, rather than hinder the project, gives legal tools to support it, however, after its promulgation in May, even PV panels can not be used for what they serve: generate energy . This is because, according to project manager Veronica Vukonovic Combarbalá and advises on Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development at the Institute of Environmental Development "will is lacking. They realized that the surplus that can efficiently produce a photovoltaic system eventually promotes residential energy independence. While one will still need the traditional distribution networks to run (Endesa, Colbún, AES Gener), will also be providing energy expenditure and discounting the extent that the system is efficient. "
Today these condos work only half of their performance. Palape Trinidad, one of the settlers benefit from these homes, which has only been able to see the savings with radiant panels, since he lives in the "Southern Cross Portal" spends a third of gas per month, compared to his old home . As for the use of photovoltaic panels, says "are there. People EcoMaipo reviewing, cleaning worries. We say Conafe and the Ministry have locked the network connection. The panels are, but not working. I'm still paying the same accounts of light. "
According Vukonovic, after the implementation of the law that is failing Combarbalá is that what is injected into the system (on leave), paid distribution network and make the discount. Conafe said he prefers not to address the issue, until the end of the process of amending the Act of Net Metering. In this regard, the IDMA adviser also said: "Probably they are waiting for a suitable pricing for them."
In the township the sayings of Palape support, according to former Mayor Rojas Solercio working with the ministry has been difficult in this case because "there has been no communication with the Conafe". However, the development boasts photovoltaic had the area: "It was important to work with partners and investors SEREMI. We set out to convert this area into a pioneer in the implementation of clean energy. "

 And it's true. Currently in the IV region can boast over thirty schools supplied with energy from solar panels, added to the two rural clinics that are supplied only by solar energy. In other regions have also undertaken these initiatives, in Antofagasta eg Pedro Galleguillos tunnel - Coastal route linking Tocopilla and Iquique-used over 200 solar lights.
Net metering, what is it now?

 To take effect this law it must be approved the regulations and technical standards. Groups pro clean energy, such as Chile and Sustainable Acesol, for example, are struggling to change misconceptions and solve some major flaws. Veronica Munita, Acesol manager notes that despite the obvious flaws, there is a clear purpose to the law and that is the strategic support and distribution system that provides stability to the electrical system by relieving pressure systems interconnected via the surpluses. Moreover, and this coincides Ledger Sustainable Chile, that this law, if applied correctly and efficiently, you can enable the decentralization of the energy market, freeing users and familiarizing citizens with non-conventional renewable energies.

Finally, the most important think is that the message must be clear. Promoting the use of clean energy is only a step to the policies to be implemented. "The law is only a wink NT to change the country's energy market. In particular it should include grants, low taxes photovoltaic panels, energy education, biomass, wind systems, etc., "Veronica Vukonovic ends.