Postal Service in Cuba Begins Selling Solar Panels: What Are the Details?

In the midst of power outages that in several provinces exceed 12 to 16 hours daily, a state-run office has started offering solar panels for sale in Cuban pesos.

This venture is not from a specialized store nor an energy company, but rather from the Empresa de Correos de Cuba in Sancti Spíritus.

According to the official newspaper Granma, this entity—recognized as a National Vanguard collective—has "added solar panel kits to its commercial offerings in the national currency, thereby contributing to the country's efforts to change its energy matrix."

This decision, also reported by the local station Radio Vitral, represents an unusual step in the diversification of services from Correos de Cuba, especially in a context where the ongoing electrical crisis has made any alternative for home power generation a strategic asset for families.

What is Correos Selling and Who's Eligible?

Carlos Gotera González, a master of science and the general manager of the company in Sancti Spíritus, explained that the sales initiative aligns with the "powers granted to the business sector in Cuba" and partnerships with various management forms.

"We are selling solar panel kits with different capacities: 3 kW, 5 kW, 6 kW, and 10 kW. These are available to both individuals and legal entities," stated Gotera González.

The official information indicates that each kit includes panels with the selected capacity, an inverter, batteries, all necessary cabling, and the metal framework for installation.

Post-sale warranty "varies depending on the purchased capacity and is backed by a prior contract."

The payment is made entirely in Cuban pesos (CUP), either through electronic channels or in cash. Interested parties must visit the commercial address of the company to coordinate the process with the executives.

However, the entity clarified that it does not currently offer installation services, as it lacks specialized personnel for that task. In other words, buyers are responsible for arranging the technical setup of the system themselves.

Missing Information: Prices and Payment Options

While the news has been portrayed as an expansion of options to access renewable energy without resorting to MLC stores, key details remain undisclosed.

As of now, the Sancti Spíritus branch has not published the prices of the kits nor clarified whether it will offer payment plans or credit options. It’s also unclear whether the sales are limited to Sancti Spíritus residents or if citizens from other provinces can avail themselves of the service.

In comments following the initial announcement, several readers emphasized these issues. One user noted the option's attractiveness but urged for price transparency and the display of product images. Another commenter questioned promoting the product without detailing costs or possible payment options, while others directly asked about the kit's price and credit availability.

The absence of pricing details is significant in a country where the average state salary barely covers basic food needs.

Precedent: Over 75,000 Pesos for a Module

What is known in the national market is the price of similar systems sold by state companies.

Recently, the Unión Eléctrica announced that an 800-watt photovoltaic module installed in homes of Héroes y Heroínas del Trabajo is priced at 75,200 Cuban pesos.

This package includes a solar panel, six meters of cable, connectors, and a battery capable of supporting devices like a refrigerator, rice cooker, or television.

The figure is equivalent to more than 20 monthly salaries for an average state worker. For most Cuban families, accumulating over 75,000 CUP is nearly impossible without external assistance.

In this program, aimed at "prioritized" workers, the company includes home installation and offers payment facilities.

Additionally, the authorities have mentioned payment options in cash or by card and even "family support," which in practice often translates to remittances sent from abroad.

The official plan aims to benefit over 10,000 workers with compact solar energy systems, and more than 130 modules have been installed among the country's over 200 recognized Héroes del Trabajo.

Renewable Energy in a Darkened Nation

Simultaneously, the government has announced tariff exemptions for the importation of panels, batteries, and inverters, tax benefits for up to eight years for those investing in renewable energies, and the possibility of selling generated electricity to third parties.

In theory, these measures are intended to encourage decentralized generation given the fuel shortage and the collapse of the national electrical system.

In practice, access to energy autonomy hinges on the ability to pay.

In a country where food spoils from the lack of refrigeration and water pumping is interrupted by power outages, a solar panel transforms from a luxury item to an essential necessity.

The fact that a postal office is now selling photovoltaic kits in Cuban pesos can be seen as an institutional adaptation to the crisis.

But until prices and real access conditions are known, the question lingers: Are these systems within reach for most Cubans, or only for those who can gather, once again, tens of thousands of pesos amid the national darkness?