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The Brazilian solar heater park reached 26.7 million square meters of collectors installed in homes, condominiums, hotels, and industries.
The data comes from the 2025 Production and Sales Survey by ABRASOL, published in March 2026.
In 2024, 258,767 new systems were installed, marking the largest expansion in the segment. Brazil ranks fifth in the world, behind China, Turkey, India, and the United States, according to the International Energy Agency.
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The pressure on electricity bills explains the surge. A conventional electric shower operates between 5,500 W and 7,500 W of power.
According to Unicamp, the equipment accounts for 30% to 45% of residential electricity consumption in homes with three people.
A 10-minute shower at 5.5 kW consumes 0.92 kWh, and the monthly expense for a family of three reaches 82.5 kWh.
The real impact of the electric shower on the Brazilian pocket
In São Paulo, a middle-class residence consumes between 180 and 220 kWh per month, according to Enel and CPFL.
The rate is R$ 0.89 per kWh in May 2026, with a yellow flag since April.
Therefore, the isolated shower costs from R$ 70 to R$ 95 monthly for three people. In homes with four or five residents, it exceeds R$ 150.
According to ABRAVA, each sized solar thermal system reduces residential consumption by 80 to 120 kWh per month.
This represents savings of between R$ 70 and R$ 105 per month. Additionally, the national demand peak between 5 PM and 9 PM is driven by the simultaneous use of electric showers.
How the flat plate solar heater operates
The system concentrates solar radiation in collectors on the roof. Each collector houses a copper coil that heats the circulating water.
The water then goes to a thermal reservoir, the boiler. According to ABRASOL, the typical capacity is 200 liters for three people.
The water remains between 50 °C and 70 °C for up to 48 hours in the boiler. The high-density polyurethane insulation ensures thermal retention documented by UFSC.
Therefore, the technology operates by natural convection in the thermosiphon model. A standard system requires 2 to 4 m² of collectors.
According to LabEEE/UFSC, the lifespan exceeds 20 years for the collectors and 15 years for the boiler.
Soletrol and Heliotek: the industrial park behind 3,700 football fields
The 26.7 million m² is equivalent to approximately 3,700 football fields, according to calculations based on FIFA measurements.
It is the fifth-largest solar thermal park in the world. The data comes from the Solar Heat Worldwide 2025 report by the IEA, cited by InvesteSP.
In 2024, manufacturers like Soletrol (the largest, in São Manuel-SP), Heliotek, Komeco, Lorenzetti, and Cumulus produced collectors totaling an area of over 1.5 million m².
According to TN Petróleo, Heliotek announced a new line in Santo André-SP with an additional 500,000 m² per year.
Where are the 26.7 million m² in Brazil
São Paulo concentrates 35% of the park, Minas Gerais 18%, and Paraná 11%, according to sector estimates. Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul complete the ranking of the top six states.
According to ABRASOL, in the interior of São Paulo, cities like Ribeirão Preto, Bauru, and São José do Rio Preto recorded a 24% growth in residential installations between 2023 and 2025.
Therefore, Curitiba stands out for the Green IPTU program, instituted by Law No. 9,806/2000, with a discount of up to 20% on IPTU.
For context, see the coverage of the Tengeh park in Singapore, with 122,000 panels on 45 hectares.
Lucas Araújo: the UFRJ engineer who documented payback in 3 years and 8 months
Engineer Lucas Oliveira Araújo designed a solar thermal system for a residence in Rio de Janeiro in 2018 as a thesis at UFRJ Macaé.
According to the study by the Polytechnic Institute of UFRJ Macaé, the system contained two collectors of 1.5 m² each and a 200-liter boiler.
The total installed cost was R$ 4,180, with a monthly saving of R$ 95 on the electricity bill.
Therefore, Araújo’s calculation shows a return on investment in 3 years and 8 months, considering an average annual tariff adjustment of 7%.
According to ABRAVA, most residential systems between 200 and 400 liters in regions with good sunlight have a payback between 3 and 5 years.
Green IPTU in São Paulo, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, and Salvador
Four Brazilian capitals offer incentives via IPTU for properties with solar thermal systems.
In São Paulo, Law No. 15,893/2013 provides a discount of up to 12% on residential IPTU and up to 20% on non-residential.
In Curitiba, the Sustainable Certification Program offers up to 20% through the same means.
Porto Alegre offers progressive discounts through Complementary Law No. 646/2010, with a reduction of up to 12%, and added specific criteria for solar thermal heating in 2025.
Additionally, Salvador approved Law No. 9,877 in 2025 with new tax incentives for sustainable buildings.
Pietro Mendes from MME: goal of 53 million m² by 2030
ANEEL projects an increase of 9.1 GW in the Brazilian electricity matrix in 2026.
However, residential consumption remains pressured. According to ONS, there is growth in air conditioning and dependence on electric showers in popular housing.
Therefore, the red flag level 2, with R$ 9.79 per 100 kWh, was activated in seven of the last twelve months until April 2026.
According to MME, solar thermal heating is a priority in the National Energy Transition Plan since December 2025.
The document foresees doubling the park by 2030, reaching 53 million m².
Executive Secretary Pietro Mendes declared in February that the solar heater is the cheapest technology to unlock residential transition.
Five rules for installing your solar heater
According to ABRASOL’s manual, choosing the system requires attention to three variables: sizing, positioning, and quality.
Inmetro certifies collectors and reservoirs through the Brazilian Labeling Program.
- Sizing: 1 m² of collector for every 75 liters of daily hot water, according to ABRASOL.
- Positioning: north-facing roof, inclination equal to local latitude plus 10°.
- Maximum distance: 10 meters between collectors and boiler to avoid thermal losses.
- Reservoir: 200 liters for 3 people, 300 liters for 4, 400 liters for 5 or more.
- PROCEL Seal: class A ensures minimum efficiency certified by Inmetro.
According to LabEEE/UFSC, maintenance is limited to semi-annual cleaning of the collectors and replacement of the boiler’s magnesium anode every three years.
See the new Inmetro label for refrigerators, which removes D, E, and F models from shelves since May.
The data of 26.7 million m² accumulated confirms the technology as the most widespread residential solution in Brazil against the electric shower.
The choice between photovoltaic and thermal, however, remains open. According to ABRAVA, homes with heated pools or high industrial consumption may benefit more from the combination of both systems.
However, for domestic bathing up to five people, the flat plate system with a 200 to 400-liter boiler remains the lowest total cost solution in the Brazilian market.
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