13 GW Of Solar Projects In Upcoming Brazil Auction, 22 GW Of Wind
Over 13 gigawatts (GW) in solar energy projects have officially registered to participate in an upcoming Brazil power auction later this year.
1,260 solar and wind projects are approved to participate in what will be Brazil’s only solar auction this year, to be held on December 16th.
A total of 419 registered solar (13.38 GW) and 841 wind (21.76 GW) projects will partake in the auction. More solar projects were allowed than previously planned thanks to the agency separating this auction from another one tied to hydroelectric projects. Initially, 393 solar projects totaling 12.5 GW were on the table, PV-Tech said.
The Bahia region in the northeastern section of Brazil received the most auction registrations, with 101 projects, totaling 3.16 GW. Piaui had 55 registered projects totaling 2.06 GW. Rio Grande de Norte had 58 projects with 1.60 GW. Brazil’s largest state, São Paulo, registered 53 projects for December’s auction, totaling 1.59 GW. Mato Grasso de Sul, in central western Brazil, registered 1.20 GW with 21 projects, and the northeastern state of Ceara had a total of 36 projects, with 1.05 GW.
PV Magazine also noted all winning projects should be in operation by 2019.
Brazil has some great solar potential. Germany’s sunniest region has 40% lower solar radiation than in Brazil’s least bright region.
Policies in recent months, along with this auction, will help boost Brazil as an emerging leader in the global solar power market. Last year, Brazil’s National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) revised its net metering rules, allowing “virtual net metering.” Brazilian customers can now put energy systems on their roofs or land and get credits to offset their costs. Credits under the new regime can last up to 5 years, compared to 3 years under past net metering legislation.
After these upcoming auctions, one can only look forward to more sunny days for Brazil’s solar energy future as the country strives to become a sustainability powerhouse.
Image: Brazilian Flag by Eduardo Amorim (some rights reserved)
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