Brazil: Tocantins introduces Pro-Solar program

The government of the Brazilian state of Tocantins has introduced a new incentives program called Pro-Solar, to boost solar PV and thermal energy projects in different sectors such as residential, commercial and agriculture. It is aimed at promoting projects in public facilities and private initiatives.

According to regional government information, the Pro-Solar program, which will be coordinated by the Secretary of Environment and Water Resources, has been introduced in the new regional law 3.179/2017.

Additionally, the new law also contemplates that all of the new public works should incorporate solar energy installations in the project.

The Tocantins state has already introduced measures to promote PV installations, such as the extension of the tax on Circulation, Goods and Services for the net metering installations approved last year. Specifically, the Tocantins state has accepted the ICMS convention 16/2015 that ratifies this measure, which most of the Brazilian regions have accepted.

According to the Electric Energy Agency, to date 47 solar installations have been completed under the net metering program in Tocantins, which have a combined capacity of 307 kW. In Brazil, the total number of solar installations under the net metering scheme has reached 7,581, which have a combined capacity of 59.1 MW. Tocantins state is located in the center of the country and has a population of approximately 1.5 million people.