RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Decentralized solar power generation in Brazil has just reached the 6 gigawatts (GW) installed capacity mark, according to the Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association (Absolar). By comparison, the volume is equivalent to more than one-third of the total capacity of the Itaipu hydroelectric plant.
The country now has more than 518,000 solar photovoltaic systems connected to the grid, and the segment has accumulated R$30.6 (US$6) billion in investments since 2012. The modality refers to the self-generation of energy, usually installed on roofs, facades, and small plots of residential homes, businesses, industries, rural generators, and public buildings.
Today, the largest amounts are installed in households, which have 40.7% of the installed capacity in the country, followed by businesses in the commercial and service sectors (36.6%), rural consumers (13.2%), industry (8.3%), public power supply (1.1%) and other types such as utilities (0.1%) and public lighting (0.02%).
According to Absolar, photovoltaic solar technology is present in more than 5,300 municipalities in all Brazilian states. Minas Gerais is the state with the largest installed capacity (1,066 MW), followed by São Paulo (752 MW) and Rio Grande do Sul (743 MW).