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The Postal Company of Cuba, through its branch in Sancti Spíritus, has finally published the prices in Cuban pesos (CUP) for the solar panel kits it began marketing amid the deep electrical crisis the country is facing.
The figures far exceed two and a half million pesos for the lower-powered models, an amount that is unattainable for state workers.
In its official profile on Facebook, the entity announced: “Correos Sancti Spíritus promotes clean energy!”, and detailed the available systems:
5 kW — 2,530,000 CUP.
6.5 kW — 2,750,000 CUP.
10 kW — 3,850,000 CUP.
12 kW — 4,895,000 CUP.
The publication adds that "prices may be subject to change depending on market conditions."
What do the kits include?
According to the information released by the company itself, each kit includes an inverter, batteries, AC and DC surge protectors, solar panels, and complete wiring.
The sale is managed at the Commercial Office of Correos Sancti Spíritus, and payment is made in the local currency.
The entity promotes its offerings under slogans such as “Electric savings,” “Reliable backup,” and “Commitment to the environment,” as well as its institutional tagline: “Innovation and sustainability at the service of our community.”
However, the inclusion of the installation service is not mentioned.
This issue had already raised questions when, in late February, it became known that the office in Sancti Spíritus had started selling solar panels.
In statements to the local station Radio Vitral, the territorial management acknowledged that it did not have specialized personnel to handle the setup, so the buyer must arrange for the technical installation of the system on their own.
From Expectation to Price Impact
When the official newspaper Granma initially reported that Correos de Cuba had "incorporated the sale of solar panel kits into its commercial offerings in national currency, thus contributing to the country's efforts to achieve a change in the energy matrix," the costs had not yet been disclosed.
The general director of the company in Sancti Spíritus, Carlos Gotera González, then explained that the commercialization was in response to the "powers granted to the business sector in Cuba" and that the kits would be sold "equally to individuals and legal entities."
At that moment, several citizens asked on social media how much the systems cost and whether there would be payment facilities or credits available. The lack of pricing was a key factor in a context where the average state salary barely covers basic food needs.
With the release of the figures, reactions came in quickly.
"A nonsense" for most
On social media, numerous users questioned the real viability of the offer. One user commented, “In 37 years of work, I have never reached that amount of money, it's outrageous,” reflecting the gap between average incomes and the millions of pesos demanded for each kit.
Others described the initiative as "ridiculous" or mocked the possibility of acquiring one with their "salary." There were also comparisons to the informal market and abroad. According to another commentator, the price announced by Correos represents "three times what it costs on the street," which calls into question the competitiveness of the state proposal.
Dissatisfaction intensifies considering that the kit does not include assembly. That is to say, after paying between 2.5 and nearly 5 million pesos, the buyer must incur additional expenses for installation.
Some internet users pointed out that, under these conditions, many families will continue to rely on traditional lighting methods due to prolonged power outages, which in several provinces last more than 12 and even up to 16 hours a day.
The energy context and the background
The marketing of solar panels by a postal company takes place against a backdrop of collapse in the national electrical system, characterized by fuel shortages and generation failures.
At the same time, the government has announced tariff exemptions for the importation of photovoltaic equipment, tax incentives for investments in renewable energy, and the possibility of selling generated electricity to third parties.
A program is also being developed for prioritized workers, such as Heroes of Labor, who are provided with 800-watt modules valued at 75,200 CUP, with payment and installation options included.
In contrast, the kits now offered by Correos in Sancti Spíritus exceed 2.5 million pesos in their most basic version and do not include assembly or, so far, known financing mechanisms.
The publication of prices responds to a demand for transparency expressed by the citizens themselves. However, the final figure raises another question: are these systems truly accessible to the majority of Cubans, or only to those with extraordinary incomes or support from abroad?
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