Comments on: Save on your energy bills with solar panels

By: Gene Newberry

Gene Newberry — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 22:27:28 +0000

We have been pleased with our solar panel investment. After three years we are nearing our full return on the investment. CFE is an absolute nightmare to deal with. Our experience is in San Miguel de Allende. When we first installed solar, CFE would give a credit (never paid real $) for the power we sent back to the grid per billing cycle. For some unknown reason, that is no longer the case. CFE took that away from us. The notion that one can generate extra income by selling surplus energy simply doesn’t exist.

By: Caguichie

Caguichie — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 13:51:48 +0000

We installed a solar system about a year ago and could not be happier with the results. Our electric bill went from around $4,000 pesos to under $250 pesos! I got 3 or 4 estimates from one man operations to the big companies and ended up using the big company as we felt more comfortable with their guarantees, materials and installation crews. I only wish that we had done it earlier!

By: John Genereux

John Genereux — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 07:52:11 +0000

CFE is a monopoly which answers to nobody. That is why they are so frequently a source of frustration to Mexicans, who should be proud of their work. CFE did not offer us contract options. They were slow to install the meter. In those months in which we produce extra energy, they keep it. In those months we don’t produce enough energy, they charge us.

Is solar energy worth it? Absolutely. It feels great that, in 6 years, we have used only 400 kwh more than we produced, in spite of installing a mini-split air conditioner. Moreover, we could only put in 250 watt panels back then. New ones are over 500 watts, and the cost per watt has dropped.

To calculate your needs, just muliply your annual use in kilowatt hours by 0.67(you can estimate the kilowatt hours from your CFE bill), . That’s how many watts you need. Divide that result by 500. That’s the approximate number of panels you will need. Cost should be about US$1.5 to $2.0 per watt, all included. FYI: Panels cannot be shaded, or will not produce much energy.

By: Chris Morray-Jones

Chris Morray-Jones — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 03:49:18 +0000

My experience of the Net Metering scheme has been a disaster. In December 2019, at considerable expense, I installed solar panels on my property in Baja California Sur. In January 2020, my Net Metering contract was approved. But before CFE got around to changing my electric meter (a necessary step before the contract can take effect), the COVID pandemic caused the Commission to stop all work except “essential services.” Under those circumstances, I was of course entirely willing to be patient. But from that time to this day (June 3, 2024), my local CFE office has steadfastly refused to honor its contract and my meter has not yet been changed. In consequence, I have received zero benefit from my very substantial investment in solar power, which has therefore turned out to be a total waste of money. My CFE bills are now higher than ever. I cannot advise others to invest in this scheme.

By: alexander pogue

alexander pogue — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 03:25:01 +0000

Very interesting article…CFE is supposedly not buying back energy in Baja Sur!!??

By: Steve Nelson

Steve Nelson — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 03:22:41 +0000

“To sell your excess energy to CFE”. You sell all of your power to CFE.

By: Steve Nelson

Steve Nelson — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 03:19:13 +0000

Since you are sending power to CFE, if CFE has a problem you can not access the solar panels. This is for the protection of the repair workers.

By: Steve Nelson

Steve Nelson — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 03:08:06 +0000

There is a small monthly “paper work charge”. Charges over your credits. At the end of year, they delete unused credits.