SolarPower Europe identifies Latin American investment opportunities
SolarPower Europe says Latin America’s solar sector is at a pivotal moment. Its latest report offers recommendations on how Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Peru can accelerate their solar growth trajectories and unlock investments.
Brazil’s solar capacity reaches 60 GW
The latest report from the Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy (Absolar) says Brazil’s operational solar fleet consists of 42.1 GW from small and medium-sized systems and 17.9 GW from large-scale solar plants. Solar currently represents 23.5% of all installed capacity in the Brazilian electricity grid.
Brazil hits 20 GW of distributed solar capacity
Brazil’s distributed-generation solar capacity has hit 20.186 GW, with more than 10.204 GW of residential rooftop installations.
Study highlights Brazil’s floating solar potential
Brazilian scientists have calculated the potential for floating solar generation in Brazil. The results show an installed potential of 43 GW for all of Brazil, with the state of Minas Gerais leading with 6 GW, followed by Bahia with 4.59 GW, and Sao Paulo with 3.87 GW.
New database for Brazil’s solar generation potential
Scientists have calculated the solar generation potential of every Brazilian state. The study show that the nation has the potential to install 337.83 GW of solar. The state of Bahia leads with 43.97 GW, followed by Minas Gerais with 41.84 GW and Mato Grosso with 39.73 GW.
Brazil hits 25 GW solar milestone
ABSolar, the Brazilian solar association, says that the PV sector has attracted BRL 125 billion ($24.2 billion) in new investments since 2012 and has generated more than 750,200 jobs.
New study shows lower environmental impact with single-axis trackers
Brazilian researchers have compared the environmental impact of two PV plants – one with polycrystalline solar modules mounted on fixed-tilt trackers, and another with the same modules mounted on single-axis trackers. The life cycle assessment shows the system with single-axis trackers reduced carbon gas emissions by 24%, land use by 20%, and water use by 7%.
Floating PV reduces water evaporation in Brazilian reservoir by 60%
Brazilian and US researchers have evaluated the water evaporation rate of a floating PV system on a Brazilian reservoir. They said that the 130 kW installation reduced evaporation by 60%, and claimed that a 5 MW system could save enough water for 196 people per year.
Brazil has 17 GW of distributed solar, with 32 GW under development
The Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy (ABSolar) says the country has reached 17 GW of installed solar capacity for PV projects below 5 MW in size. Over the past three months, connection requests for distributed-generation PV projects have hit 32 GW.
Canadian Solar raises $100m to fund projects in Brazil
Canadian Solar has banked the cash for its growing portfolio of solar projects in a nation which had module demand of 5 GW last year.
