Spain’s sunshine toll: Row over proposed solar tax

"We will be the only country in the world charging for the use of the sun," says Jaume Serrasolses.

"Strange things are happening in Spain. This is one of them."

Mr Serrasolses, the secretary of an association promoting the use of solar energy, SEBA, is referring to the government's proposal for a tax solely on those who generate their own electricity.

They would pay a backup toll for the power from their solar panels, in addition to the access toll paid by everyone who consumes electricity from the conventional grid.

Although the tolls vary, if you pay an access toll of 0.053 euros per kWh, you could face a backup toll of 0.068 euros per kWh.

The new tax would extend the average time it would take for solar panels to pay for themselves from eight to 25 years, according to the solar lobby.

The government says that with increasing "self-consumption", the income for conventional energy systems will decrease, but grid maintenance will cost the same.

"If I produce my own energy, but am connected to the grid, having the backup in case my production fails, I have to contribute to the cost of the entire system," says Energy Secretary Alberto Nadal.

The government is hoping the energy reform will settle a debt of 26bn euros (£22bn; $35bn), which has built up over years as a result of regulating energy costs and prices.

as a result of regulating energy costs and prices.

wake_up_bomb wrote:
lol!!!

andyh wrote:


Can you believe they put this stuff out there.

absolutely iaaia. down here there are a fair few moorland homes that are totally off grid, for every service. they seem to manage ok. the old generators being replaced by panels, turbines and.......batteries.
my old bus had all its living space electric running like that, was easy to set up too.
i know a traveller who has a wood turning workshop in a truck. he powers it like that too.
high load gadgets like cookers are obv harder to power but with an assesment of real need, it can be done.