Are Brazilian solar panels considered solar

Is Brazil embracing solar energy?

Brazil isn't just embracing solar energy—it’s revolutionizing its potential in the global energy sector. As we count down to the Solar World Congress 2025 in Fortaleza, let’s dive into Brazil’s solar energy history. Fifteen years ago, no one could have imagined that Brazil would become one of the world’s largest powers in photovoltaic solar energy.

How much solar power does Brazil have?

In the last five years, Brazil has increased its solar photovoltaic energy generating capacity by more than 6-fold. In 2020, the country’s installed solar PV capacity stood at 8.5 gigawatts. By the end of 2024, this had grown to roughly 53 gigawatts.

Is solar a viable source of electricity in Brazil?

Solar is now Brazil’s second-largest source of electricity. Experts say its growth must also reach and respect communities cut off from the grid Student Brenda Rodrigues da Silva works on the installation of solar panels at Fábrica Social, a professional training centre in Brasília, Brazil.

Does Brazil have a 'distributed' solar system?

Allied to this, in 2012 the country gave its authorisation for “distributed” generation – the production of energy on a smaller scale, close to the point of consumption. This format now accounts for almost 70% of solar energy in Brazil, and is the main driver of solar’s growth in the country.

Does Brazil have a potential for photovoltaic energy?

During the era of isolated systems, some companies began to recognize Brazil’s potential for photovoltaic generation. But it wasn’t only the private sector that became interested in this source—the public sector also began seriously considering the possibility of expanding the electricity matrix with photovoltaic solar energy.

Why are solar panels exempt from import taxes in Brazil?

In recent years, solar panels have been exempted from import taxes in Brazil – a subsidy that was revoked this year, as a 10.8% tax was introduced. The exemption had helped to make solar equipment cheaper to source from China than domestically, and contributed to Brazil emerging as the second-largest importer of Chinese solar panels.