DG with PV systems exceeds 500 MW in Brazil

At the beginning of 2019, Brazil recorded more than 500 MW of distributed generation with photovoltaic systems. The Brazilian solar market in 2018 showed a big leap. That year, more than 370 MW of solar panels were installed in distributed generation systems, a figure much higher than that achieved in previous years.

In 2017, around 121 MW of solar panels were installed in distributed generation systems, compared to 48 MW in 2016 and less than 10 MW in 2015. At the beginning of 2019, the country already accounted for more than 500 MW of solar photovoltaic distributed generation systems. Distributed generation corresponds to solar systems installed on roofs or medium-sized plants, with up to 5 MW of power, for the decentralized generation of electrical energy.

Distributed electrical energy generation systems are used to meet the energy consumption of consumers who decide to produce their own energy. The systems can consist of panels installed on roofs or small and medium-sized plants installed in remote locations, within the concession area of ​​the energy distributor that supplies the consumer.

In the universe of distributed solar generation in Brazil, around 75% of the installed power comes from residential users.

In the universe of distributed solar generation in Brazil, around 75% of the installed power comes from residential users, while industrial and commercial consumers account for the remainder. The majority of installed systems are found in the state of Minas Gerais. Next, the biggest users are Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina.

Minas Gerais leads the ranking of distributed solar generation due to a combination of factors: the high price of electricity in the state, the excellent climatic conditions for capturing sunlight and incentives promoted in the state to facilitate access to financing for construction of photovoltaic plants.

Distributed generation of electricity began in Brazil in 2012 with the publication of resolution No. 482 of the ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) and was expanded in 2010 with the publication of resolution No. 687, which expanded the potential for using solar energy by increasing the maximum size of decentralized plants to 5 MW, which made a large number of solar projects in the country possible. It is estimated that in 5 years there will be almost 1 million distributed generation systems with photovoltaic solar panels in Brazil.