Microgeneration represents around 80% of solar DG in Brazil

Solar DG (distributed generation) does not only benefit large companies and does not even harm consumer classes with lower generation.

According to a survey carried out by Solar Channel, based on data from ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency), around 4.65 GW of the 5.59 GW (approximately 80% of the total) of installed photovoltaic DG power are from microgeneration projects, that is, with up to 75 kW. 

Of this amount of 4.65 GW, around 2.24 GW are produced by residences (48.2%) and 1.54 GW by commercial establishments (33.1%). The remainder (18.7%) comes from industry, rural areas, public authorities, public services and public lighting sectors. 

The Agency's data also shows that of the 5,302 municipalities that have solar DG in the country, 5,300 have photovoltaic systems of up to 75 kW. It was also noted that all states in the country, including the Federal District, have at least one micro solar DG project, which highlights the representation of smaller and dispersed projects across the country. 

According to ANEEL figures, solar microgeneration is present throughout the country, especially in the Southeast and South regions, where solar power installed from small properties is 1.68 GW and 1.16 GW, respectively. The Northeast comes close behind, with 0.82 GW, followed by the Central West (0.72 GW) and North (0.26 GW) regions. 

“With these data we can say that DG has become popular, where microgeneration is predominant, dispelling the myth that we only have 5 MW projects”, highlights José Wanderley Marangon, specialist in generation, transmission, distribution and commercialization of electrical energy.