Public Consultation No. 009/2026, opened by ANEEL, discusses new oversight rules for distributed solar generation systems that have been expanded or modified without authorization from the utility companies.
This topic is central because distributed generation has already reached approximately 47 GW of installed capacity, establishing itself as the second largest source in the Brazilian electricity matrix and as one of the pillars of the energy transition.
Irregular practices, such as expanding systems without approval, were already foreseen in the regulatory resolution itself. ANEELThe problem is that both the agency and the distributors were irresponsible in delaying the curbing of these practices.
The market was aware of the rules, and most companies and engineers rigorously complied with what was established. The delay in acting allowed exceptions to become visible, creating the mistaken impression that the sector as a whole was operating irregularly.
Now, the ANEEL It proposes harsh measures: exclusion from the credit compensation system, retroactive billing for up to 36 cycles, and immediate physical disconnection in serious cases. Distributors assume a central role in oversight, and can deny new connection requests. The official discourse speaks of protecting the electrical grid and avoiding tariff distortions, but it must be acknowledged that the regulation itself has failed to keep pace with the expansion of solar energy.
The concept of "cross-subsidization," used by agency directors, reinforces this narrative. The idea is that consumers with distributed generation are being benefited at the expense of others.
However, this view ignores the fact that distributed generation reduces transmission losses, strengthens local communities, and increases the system's resilience in the face of blackouts and extreme weather events. More than a distortion, it is an energy revolution that requires regulatory adaptation.
In this debate, entities from the sector have been expressing their opinions. INEL (National Institute of Clean Energy) has been working to provide technical and legal support to the Mixed Parliamentary Front for Renewable and Sustainable Energy (FREPEL), which has been the main liaison with the legislative branch.
FREPEL has intervened at other crucial moments and, depending on the impact of the outcome of this public consultation, could result in a new parliamentary movement in defense of distributed generation. The role of the front in this case is to ensure that the regulatory agency does not overstep its functions and does not create new barriers that harm the thousands of companies that have emerged in this movement to decentralize the electricity sector.
This alignment between civil society, technical entities, and the legislature is fundamental. Distributed generation is not just an expanding market; it is a healthy movement toward the democratization of energy. By allowing millions of Brazilians to generate their own electricity, it decentralizes power, stimulates innovation, and strengthens the system's resilience. Any attempt to hinder this progress, whether through rhetoric like "cross-subsidies" or regulatory barriers, represents a step backward.
There is still a crucial point: the ONS (National System Operator) should not position itself as an obstacle. Its role is to adapt technically to this new moment in the electricity sector, in which decentralized distributed generation is an integral part of the energy matrix.
The energy transition requires all actors — regulators, concessionaires, and operators — to recognize that the centralized model alone no longer meets the country's needs.
In summary, the public consultation of ANEEL This is an important regulatory milestone, but it needs to be conducted with balance and responsibility. The solar sector cannot be penalized for past oversight failures by the agency itself and the distributors.
Most professionals complied with the regulatory resolution, and the market has already found alternatives to overcome barriers, such as the use of batteries for storage. The challenge now is to build regulations that preserve trust, stimulate innovation, and ensure that distributed generation continues to be the great energy revolution in Brazil.
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The opinions and information expressed are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the author. Canal Solar.
