According to a survey by the Brazilian Solar Photovoltaic Energy Association (ABSOLAR), Brazil has just surpassed the mark of 3 gigawatts (GW) of operational power from the photovoltaic solar source in large plants. In total, the source has already brought in more than R $ 15.9 billion in new private investments in the country in this modality alone, having generated around 90 thousand accumulated jobs. The collection for public coffers in the period totals R $ 5.2 billion.

In the segment of centralized photovoltaic solar generation, Brazil has the equivalent of 1.7% of the installed power of the country's electrical matrix. The total investments planned until 2025 for projects already contracted in energy auctions exceed R $ 25.8 billion. In 2019, the source was the most competitive among renewables in the two New Energy Auctions, A-4 and A-6, with average prices below US $ 21.00 / MWh.

Currently, large-scale solar plants are the seventh largest source of generation in Brazil, with 101 projects granted and in operation in nine Brazilian states, in the Northeast regions (Piauí, Ceará, Bahia, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba), Southeast (Minas Gerais and São Paulo) and North (Tocantins).

For ABSOLAR's executive president, Rodrigo Sauaia, Brazil is a solar nation by nature, with privileged conditions to become a world leader in the area. "Photovoltaic solar energy reduces the cost of electricity for the population, increases the competitiveness of companies and eases the budget of the government, benefiting small, medium and large consumers in the country," says Sauaia.

“Solar energy will play an increasingly strategic role in achieving the country's economic development goals, especially now in the post-pandemic period, since it is the renewable source that generates the most jobs in the world”, he adds.

“In the 2015 and 2016 crises, Brazil's GDP was -3.8 and -3.6%, respectively, but the solar photovoltaic sector went in the opposite direction, with growth of more than 100% per year. Now, after the most acute phase of the current pandemic has passed, photovoltaic solar energy will once again leverage Brazil's economic and sustainable recovery. Solar will be part of the solution, both for our society and for the environment ”, recalls Márcio Trannin, vice president of ABSOLAR.