Permits and CFE interconnection for home solar in BCS

You don't need a CFE permit to install solar on your home in Baja California Sur if your system is for self-consumption and under 0.5 MW. What you do need is to sign an interconnection agreement with CFE, which installs a bidirectional meter; in some municipalities you'll also need a local construction or equipment permit.

Do you need a CFE permit?

For a residential self-consumption system under 0.5 MW, no generation permit from CFE or the CRE is required. Your system connects under the distributed generation scheme, the most accessible route for homes. The formal step is the interconnection agreement, not a generation permit. This only changes if you exceed the capacity limits or install to sell power rather than for self-consumption.

The interconnection agreement

The interconnection agreement is what lets you connect to the grid and receive credit for surplus. In broad strokes: you gather your CFE account details and the system's technical information, submit the request to CFE, CFE reviews and approves it and installs the bidirectional meter, and your system goes live and begins earning credit. We handle this paperwork for you.

The bidirectional meter

A bidirectional meter measures both the energy your panels send to the grid and the energy you draw from it. Your bill is the net difference, and surplus you generate becomes a credit on your account under your contract's terms. It's the piece of hardware that makes net metering work.

Municipal permits and timeline

Separately from CFE, some BCS municipalities — like La Paz and Los Cabos — may require a construction or equipment permit, which varies locally and which we identify and file for you. Start to finish, a typical residential installation takes about 3–6 weeks, including the CFE interconnection.