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With 39,4 GW, the country surpasses Japan and Germany in terms of expansion and was the 3rd largest market in the world in 2023, behind only China and the United States.
Brazil has reached a new level in the global photovoltaic solar energy scenario, consolidating itself as the sixth country with the largest installed capacity in the world. According to the report Global Market Outlook For Solar Power 2024–2028, released by the European association SolarPower Europe, Brazil already has 39,4 gigawatts (GW) in photovoltaic systems connected to the grid.
The survey indicates that the country occupies a prominent position not only in terms of accumulated power, but also in annual installed capacity. In 2023, Brazil added 15,4 GW, becoming the third largest global market of the year, behind only China, with 253 GW, and the United States, with 32,4 GW.
Global leadership and room for growth
In the ranking of accumulated capacity, China is far ahead, with 656 GW. Next come the United States (173,2 GW), Japan (90,4 GW), India (90,1 GW) and Germany (83 GW). Brazil appears in 6th place, but shows one of the fastest growth rates among the countries listed.
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“Brazil has gone from being irrelevant to a leading player in ten years. And we still have a lot of room to grow,” said Pedro Drummond, state coordinator of the Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy (Absolar), during his participation in the forum “The Region in Focus.”
Internal expansion: emphasis on São Paulo and Minas Gerais
In Brazil, the advancement of photovoltaic solar energy is reflected in the distribution of installed systems. The State of São Paulo leads distributed generation, with 5.372,1 megawatts (MW), the equivalent of 14,4% of the installed power in the country.
Next comes Minas Gerais, with 4.609,5 MW (12,4%), and Paraná, with 3.306,5 MW (8,9%). The three states account for more than a third of the country's distributed generation, according to data from the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel).
The growth is not restricted to capital cities or large metropolitan regions. Medium-sized and coastal cities are also experiencing significant growth, such as Santos, on the coast of São Paulo.
Baixada Santista: Santos leads distributed generation
According to Aneel, Santos concentrates 20,5% of the photovoltaic system connections in Baixada Santista, with an installed capacity of 12,9 MW. The city is followed by Guarujá, with 10,8 MW (17,2%), and Bertioga, with 9,6 MW (15,3%).
Together, the three municipalities represent 53% of photovoltaic systems installed in the region. The data draws attention not only due to its concentration, but also due to its accelerated growth in just a few years.
In 2009, Santos had only one solar power plant. By March 2024, the number had jumped to 927 connected systems, highlighting the rapid adoption of the technology by local businesses and homes.
Potential and challenges
Despite the progress, Brazil still has great potential for growth. The availability of solar radiation in much of the country favors the expansion of the technology. In addition, the cost of solar energy has fallen significantly in the last decade, making the investment more accessible for residential, commercial and industrial consumers.
Distributed generation, in particular, is gaining momentum with rooftop systems that reduce electricity bills and promote energy autonomy. However, the sector still faces challenges related to regulation, access to financing and adapting the electricity grid to integrate ever-increasing volumes of solar energy.
Strategy for decarbonization and energy independence
The expansion of renewable energy, including solar photovoltaic, is essential for Brazil to achieve its climate goals and reduce dependence on non-renewable sources. The integration of storage systems and smart grids is also under discussion, with a focus on increasing supply security and stability.
For experts, the energy transition involves a path in which clean, affordable and decentralized energy plays a strategic role. In this context, solar energy is seen as one of the main tools for decarbonize the Brazilian electricity matrix In the next years.
Perspectives for the coming years
According to the SolarPower Europe report, the global solar market will continue to expand until 2028, and Brazil is expected to remain among the leaders in annual installed capacity. The country is expected to surpass the 50 GW mark in the coming years, with emphasis on large-scale projects and growth in distributed generation in urban and rural areas.
The combination of favorable regulation, a favorable climate, the search for savings and financial incentives has the potential to transform Brazil into a global reference in photovoltaic solar energy.
