Electrical Equipment / Components & Telecoms

The Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association (Absolar) recently stated that the total installed solar capacity in China has exceeded 10GW (GW), ranking 14th in the list of countries with the largest installed photovoltaic solar capacity in the world. Data shows that Brazil’s current installed capacity of solar energy is approximately equivalent to more than 70% of the installed capacity of Itaipu, the world’s second largest hydropower station.

Brazil's "São Paulo Page" reported on August 23 that the association stated that this is the result of the nation's continuous investment in the power generation project since 2012 (the cumulative investment exceeds 52.7 billion reais). The association estimates that after the new legal framework for distributed power generation is approved by the government, the amount of investment will continue to rise. The new law stipulates that the existing micro and small photovoltaic power generation systems and consumers who access such systems within 12 months after the issuance of the law will enjoy preferential electricity prices until 2045.

The Brazilian Association of Distributed Generation (ABGD) estimates that the decree is expected to encourage domestic consumers to install another 10GW of photovoltaic power generation systems within two years. Because in addition to preferential electricity prices, the law also provides incentives for low-income groups to install solar panels.

The increase in the installed capacity of Brazilian solar power systems is reflected in both centralized power generation and distributed power generation projects. In terms of centralized power generation, the total installed capacity of Brazilian solar power plants reached 3.5GW, accounting for about 1.9% of the national power matrix. Distributed power generation includes household or commercial small and micro power generation systems installed by consumers and private customized power generation systems, with a total installed capacity of 6.5GW.

Absolar Chairman Rodrigo Sauaia (Rodrigo Sauaia) said: “Because of the versatility and agility of solar power technology, it can be installed in just one day, and then the home or business can be transformed into a clean, renewable Small factories for electric energy."

However, the Consumer Protection Association (Idec) pointed out that the current incentive model puts most of the operating costs of the distribution network on the poorest consumers, because groups who have the money to invest in the construction of solar power systems can enjoy preferential electricity prices.

Absolar said that the combined power of various solar power generation systems can occupy the fifth place in Brazil's power matrix, which is higher than that of thermal power plants that generate electricity from oil and other fossil energy sources, which currently have a total installed capacity of 9.1GW.

Ronaldo Koloszuk, Chairman of the Association’s Administrative Committee, said: “The evolution to a 100% clean and renewable power matrix is completely feasible. It depends more on consumer wishes and policy guidance rather than technical conditions and Economic issues. The government needs to develop more incentives for the planning and expansion of distributed power generation and large centralized power plants."