Brazil’s total installed solar PV capacity has reached 60 GW, according to ABSOLAR
The solar sector has generated BRL 270 billion in investments since 2012 and cut emissions significantly
Supportive policies and financing are driving growth, but curtailment and grid issues remain key challenges, according to the association
Brazilian solar energy association ABSOLAR says that the country’s cumulative installed solar PV capacity has reached the milestone of 60 GW. Solar energy now accounts for 23.5% of the total installed capacity in the national energy mix.
This comprises 42.1 GW small and medium-sized systems, and 17.9 GW of large-scale solar power plants, says the association in a new report. The solar sector has generated over BRL 270 billion ($49 billion) in new investments since 2012, and BRL 84.4 billion ($15.4 billion) in revenues.
According to the report, solar has also helped lower carbon emissions in the country by close to 88.3 million tons. In 2024, the average cost of solar energy generation was $0.043/kWh, which was 41% cheaper than the lowest-priced fossil fuel. Between 2010 and 2024, solar spending fell by 90%, claims the association.
ABSOLAR attributes the growth of this technology in Brazil to a supportive regulatory environment and the availability of financing under various models. These measures are likely to entail an over 25% annual growth rate for the distributed generation segment through 2030, it forecasts.
According to Brazil’s National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL), micro and mini distributed generation (MMGD) systems contributed 5.3 GW of new capacity between January and July 2025. As of July 31, 2025, the country had 3.77 million solar systems grid-connected in the MMGD category, representing a combined 42.28 GW. Residential consumers account for close to 80% of this capacity.
Meanwhile, ABSOLAR identifies renewable energy curtailment and resultant loss of compensation and grid-connection challenges for small-scale solar systems for self-generation as key obstacles for the industry. It has now reached out to the administration regarding the proposed reform of the electricity sector and reduce tariffs for energy consumers under Provisional Measures No. 1300/2025 and 1304/2025, respectively.