Why is more professionalization healthy for the photovoltaic market?

In August, the photovoltaic energy market surpassed another important milestone: it surpassed 10 gigawatts of installed solar generation capacity, which includes large-scale plants and also small and medium-sized systems installed in homes and businesses, on roofs, facades and land, according to the ABSOLAR (Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association).

This is undoubtedly an important milestone for the country. Of the total, approximately 65% ​​of the energy comes from distributed generation. There are more than 600 units with their own generation of photovoltaic solar energy. The numbers prove that the sector has enormous potential for development and a unique opportunity for expansion to increase the share of photovoltaic solar energy in the national energy matrix – a renewable and lower-cost source, especially when compared to polluting matrices such as thermoelectric plants used in times of water shortages like the current one.

With this horizon ahead, we need, more than ever, to have the responsibility to encourage professionalization as the market gains more maturity. Since 2012, also according to Absolar, the sector has generated more than 300 thousand jobs. It's a victory in an economy that was already suffering even before the Covid-19 pandemic emerged.

At Ecori, we have reinforced our ongoing training initiatives with courses, live events and certification. We believe that qualified professionals are better prepared for all stages, from the design to the installation of photovoltaic kits, working with more knowledge and safety. Professionalizing the sector is also very healthy for reducing the chances of occurrences. International markets such as Italy and France faced problems a decade after distributed generation began to be installed there.

We have not yet reached a peak in occurrences, but if (or when) we do, the consequences will be bad for everyone. Together, we can make the market much more robust and ready for accelerated growth in the future. The 10 GW mark already places Brazil among the 15 countries with the largest installed solar generation capacity. We still have a long way to go before we come close to China (253,8 GW), the United States (73,8 GW) or Japan (68,6 GW).

Without a doubt, we can be inspired by the high standards of professionalization in these countries. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I hope that soon we can only sell products to certified companies. I am sure that when we reach this point we will have reached another level of maturity.