Photovoltaic energy can place Brazil among solar segment leaders

By Ramon Nuche, Latin American Director at AESolar

In recent years, Brazil has stood out in the global solar energy scenario with significant growth due to its geography favorable to the installation of this type of technology and social support and incentives. 

In 2023, the country broke a record for expanding photovoltaic energy, adding 3GW to the national energy matrix. Between January and August of the same year, the installed capacity of the electrical matrix was 7 GW, of which 6.2 GW came from solar and wind sources.

In 2024, photovoltaic energy production has already exceeded 38GW of installed capacity in the country, representing almost 17% of the national electrical matrix. According to data from ABSOLAR, a further 9.4GW will be added to the network, resulting in a total of 45.5GW in operation by the end of the year.

This demonstrates Brazil's evolution in the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy matrix and to establish itself as one of the main global solar energy hubs.

Part of this evolution has crucial support from the government, which has played a key role in encouraging the expansion of solar energy in the country through favorable public policies and energy auctions. Furthermore, the drop in the price of photovoltaic equipment and the reduction in interest rates created a favorable scenario for the market as a whole.

According to ABSOLAR, the renewable source of solar array could generate more than 300,000 new jobs in the country and new investments in the sector could exceed 50 billion reais.

Today, photovoltaic energy is used in the country's agriculture, commerce, industry, and the automotive and residential sectors. The applications of solar panels, which convert rays into energy, are very diverse, ranging from traditional installations on roofs to plantations or lakes, known as floating plants.

It is expected that new technologies available in European countries will soon arrive in Brazil, allowing better use of local geography and flexible or dual applications. For example, vertically installed solar panels, designed focusing on the agricultural sector, can be used in crop plots, serving as energy-generating fences, further enhancing the use of rural spaces.

All of this has been reflected and paving the way for a promising future in the Brazilian photovoltaic sector. By 2030, the installed capacity of solar energy in the country will grow to 28GW in 2030, representing around 11% of the Brazilian electricity matrix, according to to the Energy Research Company (EPE). 

Brazil has emerged as one of the global leaders in the adoption of photovoltaic energy. With ongoing investments and favorable policies, in addition to the emergence of cutting-edge technologies, the future of solar energy in the country will be very promising indeed.

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