A Proposal by Casa Pueblo

Goal

50% of energy generated with solar power at the point of consumption by 2027

Route Toward Complete Energy Self-Sufficiency, Based on Local, Clean, Renewable Resources.

Photovoltaic panels on residential, commercial, and public rooftops

  • Electrical microgrids in which each independent generator supports neighboring generators.
  • Social justice in the rebuilding of homes affected by Hurricane Maria with solar roofs.
  • Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to global warming through the burning of oil, natural gas, and coal.
  • Do not require the purchase of gasoline or diesel, nor the risks of transporting, storing, and using these fuels.
  • Do not produce noxious gases or loud noise.

Puerto Rico 2018

 Residential Consumption 36.50%
Commercial Consumption 47.40%
Industrial Consumption 14.10%
Public Lighting 1,47%
Agriculture 0.15%
Others 0.31%

Transition Strategy Focused on the Residential Sector

Homes 1.35 millones
Total kWh per year 6,600 millones
Annual consumption per home 14,917 kWh
Daily consumption 13.4 kWh

In Each Home

  • 1.68 kWp 
  • Six 330 Wp panels
  • Approximate cost with energy storage capacity (batteries) $8,000

kWh (kilowatt hour) = power produced by the solar panels
kWp (kilowatt peak) = power generated by the solar panels under standard conditions

Fuel Consumption Costs

  • Approximately $962 million a year in residential fuel costs
  • $962 million x 50% residential consumption = $481 million saved per year
  • The investment needed to power 50% of Puerto Rico’s residential sector would be recouped in 8.3 years.
  • $735 million are lost from our economy every year through payments to Eco-Eléctrica and AES for the 6.6 billion kWh consumed by our residential sector. 50%conSOL equals 3.3 billion kWh/year.
  • 50%conSOL Residential is the equivalent of replacing the Costa Sur power plant (3.12 billion kWh/year) with renewable energy or replacing the San Juan power plant (2 billion kWh/year) one and a half times.

Other Possible Improvements

In addition to incorporating local energy sources, other improvements are necessary:

  • Updating power plant control systems: the outdated systems in place limit the ability to add energy from renewable sources to the electric grid to no more than 12% of total distribution.
  • Replacing 4,160V power lines with 13,000V lines. This would allow better management of the addition of renewables as well as reduce the losses in distribution lines by nearly 10%.
  • 90% of the homes in Puerto Rico can be 100% solar powered.
  • It’s not feasible to fully power multi-floor structures because the rooftop surface area isn’t great enough, but it is possible to power the common areas and to provide emergency power during extreme events.
  • Residential demand could be substantially reduced by employing energy efficiency strategies and grid-tied systems to avoid consuming from AEE.

In the Residential Sector Equals:

• Average energy consumption per home is 1.68 kWh.
• Six 330 Wp solar panels per home can meet this consumption level.
• This system, including batteries and installation, costs $8,000 per home.
• Wherever electrical service is “stable”, the system can be installed without energy storage, thereby reducing the cost to $5,000 or less.
• 50%conSOL Residential equals $481 million in fossil fuel costs saved annually.
• 50%conSOL Residential equals NOT needing the Costa Sur power plant’s output, or one and a half times that of the San Juan power plant.
• The use of solar water heaters should be maximized in order to minimize electrical consumption
for this need.
• It’s necessary to invest in energy efficiency in order to reduce household consumption and waste. This includes replacing light bulbs, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems with more efficient models, for example LED lights and “inverter” equipment/appliances.