Brazil: distributed generation capacity reaches 139.7 MW

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Brazil had reached an installed distributed generation  capacity of 139.7 MW by mid-July, according to figures provided by the local solar association AB Solar.

Of this capacity, around 97.5 MW is represented by mini-generation PV installations (up to 75 kW) and micro-generations solar power generators (ranging in size from 75 kW to 5 MW). Around 42% of this installed power comes from residential systems, while another 38% comes in the form of commercial installations.

Overall, 12,293 power systems were connected to the grid in Brazil under the net metering scheme, of which 12,171 (99%) are PV systems. Around 55.3 MW were installed in the first seven months of this year. In 2016, new distributed generation PV installations had totaled 67.9 MW. This means that this year's solar distributed generation capacity, if the current growth trend will be confirmed in the second half of 2017, will reach considerably higher levels of development than in 2016.

Minas Gerais continue to be the Brazilian state with the highest volume of installed distributed generation PV capacity with 19.6 MW, while the state of Amapá remains the only region in which no PV capacity of notable size has been registered yet.

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The increase of distributed PV projects in the country coincides with the reduction in costs of solar technology, as well as with a larger awareness between homeowners and small businesses of the potential of this technology.

The net metering scheme was introduced by the Brazilian government in 2012. More recently, more financing options for this kind of solar project have been offered, such as specific financing offers linked to regional programs. In 2016, the Brazilian government also introduced a package of measures to improve net metering conditions at a national level. The measures include, along with better financial conditions for project loans, an increase of the size limit for projects under net metering to 5 MW.

Aneel is targeting 1.2 million PV systems under net metering by 2024.

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