In 2024, Brazil broke a record for new installations of solar energy systems in just a single year, according to a report by the Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association (Absolar). According to the entity’s calculations, 14.3 gigawatts (GW) were added to the energy matrix in 2024, which meant that the country reached 52.2 GW of operational power from accumulated solar sources.
The evolution reflects the 30% increase in investments made last year compared to 2023, which totaled R$54.9 billion. The bill ranges from small installations for personal consumption on roofs, facades and small plots of land, to large plants.
The increase of 14.3 GW exceeded the entity’s expectations, which projected an increase of 9.3 GW last year. Before 2024, the year that showed the greatest evolution was 2023, with a 12.47 GW increase compared to 2022. For this year, the entity’s estimate is an increase of 12.5 GW, which, if achieved, will make this energy matrix reach 64.7 GW.
Distributed generation drove the increase in 2024, with an increase of 8.7 GW compared to 2023. DG, or decentralized generation, is one in which a person or company installs photovoltaic panels on the roofs of their houses, facades, garages , ceilings of commercial establishments and others. In general, it is done to lower the electricity bill.
Centralized generation added 5.7 GW to the system. It is produced by large plants on huge rooftops, fields or even in dams. Most of the time they are set up for the purpose of selling energy or supplying large manufacturing plants.
According to the association’s calculations, Brazil has more than 3.1 million solar photovoltaic systems connected to the grid in operation. This amount benefits 4.6 million consumer units, as the energy generated in a system can serve more than one point through credits generated on the network.
Continues after advertising
By states
Of the 52.2 GW, 67.3% are distributed generation (35 GW), while centralized generation accounts for 32.7% of the total (17.2 GW). Solar sources in Brazil account for 21.3% of the national energy matrix, second only to hydroelectric plants. Also according to Absolar, large plants operate in 26 Brazilian states.
Despite considering the evolution as positive, mainly because they are projects to accelerate decarbonization in Brazil, Ronaldo Koloszuk, president of the board of directors of Absolar, states that there is still a lot of room for growth and that taking advantage of the country’s solar potential is very small.
“There are more than 93.2 million electricity consumers in the country, however, currently, less than 5% use the sun to generate electricity. By way of comparison, in Australia, this number exceeds 33%”, says the executive.
