Brazil has invested US$13 billion in rooftop solar energy, says a report by Absolar. Rooftop solar systems now exceed 11 gigawatts of power.
The study suggests that growth could be higher without electric company roadblocks. Recently, over 3,100 solar connection requests got canceled or delayed.
This has led to a loss of more than US$700 million, according to Absolar’s data. Today, about 1.5 million homes use solar energy.
These homes are spread across 5,512 towns and cities in Brazil. About half of the 23.5 gigawatts of private solar power is in homes.
Leandro Martins, CEO of Ecori, views solar power as vital for Brazil’s growth. “Solar energy is a strategic and priority choice for Brazil,” he said.
Ivan Sarturi, an engineer at PHB, agrees. “Solar power is the best way to democratize energy in Brazil,” he stated.
He also noted that solar energy is a cheap, clean way to meet rising energy needs. “It’s key for economic growth and new tech like electric cars and 5G,” he added.
Context
Brazil’s journey into solar energy began in the early 2010s. Since then, the country has become a leader in Latin America.
The focus initially was on large-scale solar farms. Rooftop solar for homes gained traction only in recent years.
Government policies have also evolved to support this shift. Tax incentives and easier access to credit-fueled the growth.
In 2015, Brazil held its first exclusive solar power auction. This was a milestone for the industry.
However, the journey has not been smooth. Regulatory challenges have often hindered progress.
Despite setbacks, the trend is positive. Experts believe Brazil’s sunny climate and growing energy needs make solar a promising sector.
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