The municipality of Brandsen, in the Province of Buenos Aires, recently approved a pioneering ordinance to promote the use of solar energy in homes as a response to the energy crisis.
In particular, the initiative offers tax incentives, financing, and free advice to residents who install electricity generation systems using solar panels.
The Deliberative Council of the Buenos Aires district, governed by Fernando Raitelli, created a municipal program for the Promotion of Residential Solar Energy.
Thus, the regulation seeks to promote the responsible and sustainable use of energy in Brandsen, in accordance with the National Law 27.424 and Provincial Law 15.325, promoting renewable energies.
Tax benefits and priority in procedures
Thanks to the new Brandsen ordinance, those who opt for solar energy in their homes can access free technical assistance.
This includes training and advice to choose the specific technology.
Additionally, residents can obtain green financing through agreements with public and private entities for the acquisition and installation of the equipment.
Another attractive point is that those who complete the installation to obtain solar energy will pay lower municipal taxes.
In particular, the ordinance provides for the exemption or reduction of up to 50% of the municipal service tax for a period of two years.
Users will also have priority in registering with the Renewable Energy User-Generator Registry (RUGER) of the province of Buenos Aires.
This benefit is key, as it facilitates the procedures to inject surpluses into the electrical grid.
Regarding the requirements to access the incentives, residents must be up to date with their municipal tax obligations.
They must also present a technical project or installation certificate issued by a registered professional or authorized company.
Additionally, the equipment must comply with national and provincial security, quality, and efficiency standards for solar energy, according to National Provision 28/2019, OCEBA Resolution 463/2023, and applicable IRAM/IEC standards.
Priority in residential neighborhoods and social housing
During the first year of implementation, residential neighborhoods and social interest housing will be prioritized.
The goal is to generate demonstrative experiences and promote equity in access to solar energy.
To this end, the municipality will develop educational campaigns in local media, schools, and community centers.
These initiatives will seek to disseminate the advantages of using solar energy, economic savings, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The authorities responsible for implementation will be the Planning and Environment areas of the Municipality of Brandsen.
For now, they still need to regulate the ordinance and coordinate with the Province, OCEBA, and the local electricity distributor for the implementation of the regime.
The environmental foundations for the use of solar energy in Brandsen
The ordinance bases its creation on the need to address climate change and the global energy crisis.
The text states that “the climate change and the global energy crisis demand a transition towards renewable and clean energy sources“.
In this line, it adds that “solar energy is an abundant, free, and non-polluting source”.
Therefore, according to the regulation, promoting the use of renewable energies implies environmental benefits, social and economic, also reducing household costs in the medium term.
It is worth noting that Brandsen is a municipality with a history in solar energy and environmental care.
In Samborombón, for example, the first solar park in the entire province of Buenos Aires was built, with more than 400 panels generating 100Kwp of energy that supplies 60 families.
Not long ago, Ordinance No. 736 of 1997 declared the district “pollution-free” and “non-nuclear”, establishing environmental matters as of general interest.
This regulatory precedent laid the foundations for the development of local environmental care policies.
