Bill 308.

Summary.

The bill establishes a framework for remote net metering and solar communities in the Republic of Panama (República de Panamá), seeking to expand access to renewable energy, promote distributed generation and reduce electricity bills. It defines remote net metering as offsetting consumption at one location with solar electricity generated at another and fed into the public grid. A solar community comprises two or more users sharing a plant and receiving benefits in proportion to their participation. The bill also defines a prosumer and a distribution company, and designates the National Authority of Public Services (Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos, ASEP) as regulator. Its application would follow principles of equitable access, environmental sustainability, energy solidarity, decentralization, legal certainty, transparency, participation and technological innovation.

Users could generate photovoltaic electricity away from their place of consumption if both locations are within the same distribution company's concession area. To join, they would register the installation and consumption point with ASEP, show ownership or a valid legal connection to both locations, and meet technical, safety and interconnection requirements. Bidirectional metering would record electricity fed into the grid, and the credit would appear on the monthly bill under existing net metering rules. Instantaneous self-consumption would be recognized at one hundred percent (100%) of the applicable tariff. Surplus electricity would be compensated at eighty percent (80%) of the generation component of the regulated tariff or at the monthly average spot market price, as determined by a resolution of the National Authority of Public Services. ASEP would establish tracking and accounting mechanisms and review the compensation value every two (2) years. Credits could accumulate for twelve (12) consecutive months before expiring. Users with multiple consumption points in one concession area could transfer credits between their own accounts after applying and establishing the required legal connection. A fixed monthly charge would cover grid maintenance, backup and operation. It could not exceed ten percent (10%) of the monthly average basic residential tariff and would be adjusted through public consultation every three (3) years.

Individuals and legal entities could form solar communities through private agreements, civil associations, cooperatives or other legally recognized arrangements. Members would receive bill credits according to their participation and agreement, within ASEP's parameters. ASEP would regulate technical, administrative and financial operation, transparency, consumer protection and dispute resolution. The bill restates the entitlement to monthly credits that may accumulate for up to twelve (12) months and to transfer them between legally connected consumption points. It requires a single digital platform for interconnection applications and real-time monitoring of generation and consumption. The Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo) and local governments would promote agreements allowing projects on state or municipal roofs and land through open processes. Distribution companies would facilitate connection of association-based projects and provide users with secure, continuous, free digital access to interoperable metering, generation and consumption data. ASEP could authorize selection mechanisms for private companies to develop community projects, prioritizing rural, comarca and hard-to-reach areas. The State could establish an environmental certification or “Green Seal.”

ASEP would regulate, supervise and enforce the framework, issue technical requirements and procedures, oversee distribution companies and impose administrative penalties under existing rules. It would issue the technical and administrative regulations within twelve (12) months of promulgation. The bill sets commencement twelve (12) months after promulgation in the Official Gazette. By subject matter, it concerns ASEP, the Executive Branch and local governments, and could interest electricity users, cooperatives, organized communities, solar companies and distribution companies.