SANTO DOMINGO. -The Senate of the Republic approved yesterday, Thursday, in its second reading, the bill that provides for the installation of renewable energy sources in buildings , presented by Senators Alexis Victoria Yeb and Santiago José Zorrilla.
The purpose of this law is to encourage the use of alternative energy sources , promote energy saving and efficiency, and establish criteria for the use of renewable energy in new or renovated public and private buildings.
In its second consideration, the document states that the high demand for energy has led to an overexploitation of conventional, fossil-based energy sources, which has gradually contributed to the degradation of natural resources, resulting in climate change and other harmful effects on planet Earth; disturbing the ecological balance and endangering all of humanity and the environmental system.
Participation of renewable energies in buildings
According to the Global Status Report on Renewable Energy (REN21) 2024 , in 2021 renewable energy sources (such as solar, wind, and modern biomass) accounted for approximately 15.9% of total energy consumption in buildings worldwide . In 2011, this figure was just 11.3%.
In 2020, this share was around 15.5% . This means that, although the proportion is gradually increasing, the majority of energy consumed in buildings is still from non-renewable sources.
It is estimated that some 25 million households worldwide have residential photovoltaic solar systems (roof panels) to generate electricity.
