Hi Ian,
I have done several grid-tie installations here in Chiriqui. The process you speak of is net-metering. This allows you to get a credit for the extra energy you produce using your solar panels. It's actually a pretty generous program, and makes grid-tie solar a no-brainer for anyone spending more than $150/month or so on power.
You are credited 1kwh for 1 kwh, and if your production exceeds consumption, they will pay you the wholesale electrical rate (subject to a 25% limit based on your baseline consumption) ie: you can't use this to go into the business of electrical generation.
This is great as in many residential situations, you generate power during the day, and use it up a night, once you come home.
The process is somewhat tedious, but here it is in a nutshell:
Your solar installer will work with an electrical engineer to handle this for you. There are 3 authorities to deal with: Naturgy (the power utility), Bomberos, and Municipio.
-sign a limited power of attorney allowing the electrical engineer to represent you throughout this process
-he will present the photo-voltaic electrical plan to Naturgy, along with property documents, etc... they will give you a provisional go-ahead
-present electrical plan to Bomberos
-once approved by Bomberos, apply for your permit from Municipio
once that's approved, go back to Naturgy and apply for your bi-directional meter, and sign your net-metering contract with them.
Naturgy will send over a crew to install the bi-directional meter, and conduct an inspection of the installation.
The whole process from start to finish takes about 2-3 months. The installer generally takes care of this for their client, as it requires a lot of follow-up at every step.
If you have any more questions, I'm glad to help.
alain@siempresolpanama.com
6631-9193