EN 
PT_BR 
The state of Minas Gerais surpassed the 1 GW mark in solar photovoltaic DG (distributed generation), according to a survey carried out by ABSOLAR (Brazilian Association of Solar Photovoltaic Energy) based on data from ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency).
With more than 88 thousand photovoltaic systems in homes, businesses, industries, rural properties and public buildings, the state of Minas Gerais is the leader in installed power of solar DG in Brazil.
Currently, photovoltaic sources are present in 844 of the 853 municipalities in Minas Gerais, with more than 120 thousand electricity consumers who are adept at using photovoltaic technology.
According to ABSOLAR, since 2012, its own generation of solar energy has already attracted more than R$ 5 billion in investments in the state of Minas Gerais, generating more than 30 thousand jobs, collecting more than R$ 955.4 million to public coffers and reducing emission of 767.0 thousand tons of CO₂.
Bruno Catta Preta, state coordinator of ABSOLAR in Minas Gerais, highlights that the state is a national reference in the use of solar energy. “Photovoltaic technology represents an enormous potential for sustainable, economic and social development for miners, generating jobs and income, attracting new investments and helping to combat climate change and protect the environment.”
Approval of PL 5829
ABSOLAR emphasizes that the approval of PL 5829/19, which creates the Legal Framework for GD in Brazil, will be the best way to avoid setbacks and democratize the sport in the country.
Find out more about PL 5829/19
Currently, 38 institutions representing the country support the PL, which will guarantee in law the consumer's right to generate and consume their own electricity through clean and renewable sources, including from rural producers, trade in goods, services and tourism, small businesses and consumer protection.
Among these entities are the CNS (Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil), Sebrae, the CNC (National Confederation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism), Abimaq (Brazilian Association of the Machinery and Equipment Industry) and Proteste – largest consumer protection entity in Latin America and Brazil.
“Therefore, the support of organized society and local companies is essential in order to establish a transparent, fair legal framework that recognizes the benefits of solar energy in distributed generation in the country”, adds Catta Preta.
For Rodrigo Sauaia, executive president of ABSOLAR, photovoltaic solar energy will have an increasingly strategic role in achieving socioeconomic and sustainable development goals in all Brazilian states.
“Photovoltaic technology is essential for the recovery of the economy after the pandemic, being the renewable source that generates the most jobs on the planet. It also helps to lower Brazilians' electricity bills, reducing the use of expensive, polluting fossil thermoelectric plants, which are mainly responsible for the red flag that makes consumers' bills more expensive”, he emphasizes.
