Solar energy becomes the second source of electricity in Brazil

Photovoltaic solar energy became the second largest source of electricity in Brazil, reaching the mark of 23.9 gigawatts (GW) of operational installed power on Tuesday, surpassing wind power, with 23.8 GW, as announced by the Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy (Absolar).

The greater importance of solar energy for the country, which currently represents 11.2% of the matrix, only surpassed by hydroelectric (51.3%), occurs amid strong growth as a result of incentives for the installation of small-scale photovoltaic plants, given the lower costs of the source and its environmental benefits.

Last year the installed capacity of solar energy in the country expanded by more than 60% and in recent months the growth rate has been practically 1 GW per month.

According to Absolar, of the 23.9 GW, 16 GW come from distributed generation, from small-scale plants, such as façades and solar roofs in homes and businesses, and the other 7.9 GW from centralized generation, large projects that sell energy, both for the regulated and the free market.

“Solar technology helps to diversify the country’s electricity matrix, increase security of supply, reduce pressure on water resources and protect the population from further increases in electricity bills,” said the executive president of Absolar, Rodrigo Sauaia.

With information from Xinhua