The Cuban Postal Company in Sancti Spíritus incorporated into its commercial offer the sale of solar panels with powers between 3 and 10 kilowatts, available to both natural and legal persons entirely in national currency.
The measure is part of the government measures to address the worsening of the energy crisis, now aggravated by the United States oil blockade.
“We are marketing solar panel kits with different powers: 3 kW, 5 kW, 6 kW and 10 kW. We sell them to natural persons and legal entities,” said to Granma Carlos Gotera González, general director of the entity.
For the moment, Correos de Cuba has not announced the cost of the kits nor has it specified whether it will provide financing or payment options in installments, while networks question whether the marketing will focus only on residents of Sancti Spíritus or if access will be open to other provinces.
According to the manager, each kit includes the panels corresponding to the selected power, inverter, batteries, complete wiring and the metal structure necessary for its assembly, with a warranty period depending on the capacity acquired and is formalized by contract.
Marketing is part of the diversification of services of the Cuban Post Office in the central province and responds to the government strategy of promoting renewable sources in the face of the energy crisis that the country is going through.
Interested parties must manage the hiring in the company’s commercial management, where the details are coordinated with the managers.
Payment can be made through electronic channels or in cash, always in national currency. Gotera González clarified that, for the moment, the entity does not offer installation services because it does not have specialized personnel for that work.
800 W module at 75,200 pesos and with payment facilities
In contrast to the kits for sale in Sancti Spíritus, in Artemisa the assignment to prominent workers of lower capacity photovoltaic modules was recently reported, such as one of 800 watts (0.8 kW), with a price of 75,200 pesos in national currency. In these cases, payment can be made through different means, although no deadlines or financing schemes are detailed.
According to the UNE publication, the 800 W kit includes six meters of cable and a connector; Other components, such as an additional connector and a double-edged blade, are purchased separately depending on availability. It is not specified whether the package includes batteries or inverter, as is the case in the higher power kits offered in Sancti Spíritus, which include panels, inverter, batteries, wiring and metal structure.
At least 200 workers in the Education and Public Health sectors in Artemisa will receive panels of different powers.
The installation of more solar panels for state companies and private businesses is among the measures being implemented in Cuba to address the worsening energy crisis as a result of the United States oil blockade.
The solar panels that are currently installed on the island go beyond the solar parks that the Government has been setting up with the collaboration of China and others aimed at isolated families and communities, as part of projects also with international support.
In the current difficult energy scenario, the Cuban Government also “accelerates the installation of photovoltaic solar panels in prioritized institutions of the Health System,” report Granma.
According to the media, which cites the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap), the measure “is part of a government contingency program” and “seeks to protect vital services for the population, and guarantee the operation of the guard corps in polyclinics throughout the country.”
Tax exemptions for investments in renewable energy systems
State and private companies in Cuba, as well as self-employed workers and other private workers, will be exempt from certain taxes for up to eight years if they invest in renewable energy systems for their economic activity or for delivery to the National Electric System.
This is how it is established a government resolution in force as of this Thursday with its publication in the Official Gazette, which expands what was previously regulated on the topic.
For both legal entities (companies, MSMEs, cooperatives) and natural persons, the exemption will be “in the amount of the value of the investment, during the period of its recovery and for a period of up to eight years”, in accordance with the provisions of the regulations.
The updated standard also confirms tariff benefits for those who import renewable energy systems, as well as raw materials, components, parts or equipment to increase energy efficiency.
