Uruguay´s Solar Plan Grants Solar Water Heaters
On 22 March 2012, the Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Roberto Kreimerman launched a Solar Plan, which is hoped to increase the use of solar thermal collectors in private homes. With the new approach, the government hopes to save electricity, which has, so far, been the most widespread source for heating water in the house. The country’s electricity distribution network is managed by state-run utility company UTE. Of a total of 1.2 million households, 130,000 homes are thought to be serviced in this first phase. UTE reduces the energy bill of any end consumer which purchases a solar water heater by a monthly Uruguayan Peso (UYU) 700 over the first 24 months. This corresponds to an investment subsidy of around EUR 600 for any solar water which costs around UYU 37,000 (EUR 1,300), including installation, 5-year insurance, taxes, etc.
|
Country / region |
Republic of Uruguay |
|
Name of programme |
Solar Plan |
|
Type of incentive |
Subsidy combined with low-interest loan |
|
Eligible technologies |
Solar water heaters |
|
Applicable sectors |
Residential |
|
Amount
|
Monthly compensation of Uruguay Pesos (UYU) |
|
Maximum incentive |
Maximum subsidy amount is UYU 16,900 (24 times UYU 700) |
|
Terms of loan |
Loans are granted from UYU 40,000 to UYU |
|
Requirements for system |
All eligible solar water heater systems must be Find the list of registered solar thermal system |
|
Requirements for installation |
Installation must be under the supervision of a |
|
Finance provider |
State utility company UTE pays the subsidy (refinanced by the state) and public bank BHU (Banco Hipotecario del Uruguay) grants the loan |
|
Total funds |
No limit declared |
|
Funding source |
Public money |
|
Effective date |
March 2012 |
|
Expiration date |
December 2014 |
|
Websites
|
http://www.energiasolar.gub.uy |
|
Last review of this tabloid |
April 2014 |
|
Contact |
National Energy Administration (DNE) Mr Martín Scarone |
