The state of São Paulo has emerged as the leader in distributed solar generation (DG) in Brazil, boasting over 4 GW of installed power, which accounts for 14% of the national production. Following São Paulo are the states of Minas Gerais (3.7 GW), Rio Grande do Sul (2.7 GW), and Paraná (2.6 GW), according to the latest data from the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) and the Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association (Absolar).
Distributed generation encompasses microgeneration and minigeneration systems (up to 5 MW) installed across residences, businesses, industries, rural properties, and public buildings. São Paulo’s leadership in this sector is attributed to several factors, including its status as Brazil’s largest consumer market and favorable legislation. Legislative Decree 2,531/22, effective since late 2022, exempts microgenerators, minigenerators, and solar energy generation centers from the circulation tax, significantly boosting the state’s solar energy production.
Leandro Kuhn, the executive director of the L8 Group, emphasized the impact of this legislation on São Paulo’s solar energy sector. The L8 Group, through its subsidiary L8 Energía, specializes in the industrialization and distribution of photovoltaic systems. The company recently relocated its distribution operations from Paraná to São Paulo to better serve the growing demand in the state.
Nationwide, approximately 2.6 million grid-connected photovoltaic systems are in operation, with 79% located on residential properties. Commercial and service sector installations account for 10.51%, and rural properties for 8.65%, according to Absolar.
“Many consumers have already realized the benefits of solar energy and are investing in their own distributed generation systems,” Kuhn said. “In addition to economic benefits such as lower electricity costs, solar energy is environmentally sustainable and reduces consumers’ dependence on regulated market operators.”
Kuhn also highlighted the trend towards decentralization of electricity generation as a key strategy for meeting future electricity demand in urban areas. Distributed generation not only increases the installed power of the National Interconnected System (SIN) but also provides consumers with a measure of energy independence, ensuring self-production even during temporary shortages.
According to Absolar, photovoltaic energy is now the second-largest source in Brazil’s electricity matrix, with 41.8 GW of installed power, representing 18.2% of the country’s total electricity production. Hydroelectricity remains the primary source, holding 47.8% of the market with over 109.9 GW of installed power.
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