Centralized and distributed solar PV capacity in Brazil 2017-2024

Solar photovoltaic capacity has grown significantly in Brazil in the last few years. From 2022 to 2024, the total installed capacity in the country doubled, reaching 48.2 gigawatts in September 2024. Distributed solar installations have grown at a faster pace than centralized installations. In 2024, distributed solar PV accounted for a share of roughly 28 percent of the total installed capacity.  

Distributed solar energy in Brazil

In 2023, Brazil added over eight gigawatts of distributed solar capacity. Residential installations accounted for the largest share of distributed solar photovoltaic additions that year, surpassing 3.7 gigawatts. The commercial segment, however, saw the largest capacity increase in comparison with the previous year, with new installations increasing by more than 430 gigawatts. The cost of residential and commercial solar PV systems has decreased considerably in the last years.

Solar PV outlook in Brazil

 The Brazilian solar sector is expected to continue growing at a fast pace in the next years. By 2028, the country is expected to reach a cumulative distributed solar capacity ranging from 35 to 45 gigawatts. On the other hand, centralized solar energy capacity is forecast to increase to 27.2 gigawatts in a conservative scenario and to 32.4 gigawatts in an optimistic scenario.