Grid-connected solar programme launched to cut power costs

Guyana is accelerating its transition to renewable energy with the rollout of a grid-connected solar household programme aimed at improving electricity reliability and reducing costs, authorities said.

The initiative, introduced under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, promotes rooftop solar systems that feed electricity directly into homes during daylight hours, with excess power exported to the grid and credited to consumers’ bills. Guyana Power and Light (GPL) supplies additional energy when needed.

A typical 5 kilowatt-peak system costs about $1.2 million and generates roughly 7,884 kilowatt-hours annually, cutting electricity expenses by an estimated $342,402 per year. The investment can be recovered in about 3.5 years while reducing carbon emissions by around 5.5 tonnes annually.

The Guyana Energy Agency is supporting the programme by providing technical guidance, linking households with suppliers and installers, assisting with system design reviews, and coordinating approvals with GPL and the Government Electrical Inspectorate.

Authorities said the programme supports broader efforts to expand access to clean energy, strengthen the national grid, and advance a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.