Latin America & Caribbean Solar Markets To Explode

Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!

 
A new report from solar energy market research company NPD Solarbuzz has predicted the demand for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy across Latin America and the Caribbean is set to explode over the next few years, with a forecasted compound annual growth rate of 45 percent.

Already, Mexico, Chile, and Brazil are emerging as regional leaders as a result of net-metering, Renewable Portfolio Standards, and other policies implemented across the three countries.

The forecasts expect these three countries to have almost 70 percent of PV demand within the region by 2017.

Solar Markets in Latin America and Caribbean set to boom

“Historically, PV demand was confined to rural off-grid and niche applications, but new renewable energy policies and incentive programs are now opening up the region for strong PV deployment,” said Chris Sunsong, an analyst at NPD Solarbuzz.

“Set against a backdrop of strong economic growth, expanding energy demand, and increasing electricity prices, the conditions for PV adoption appear particularly attractive.”

NPD Solarbuzz reported that by the end of 2012 energy regulators will have received in excess of 6 gigawatts worth of PV project applications.

Chip in a few dollars a month to help support independent cleantech coverage that helps to accelerate the cleantech revolution!

The report adds that by 2017 the ground-mount segment of the solar industry will provide 60% of the demand, though commercial and residential segments are set to see increased adoption from 2015 as prices begin to decline.

Obstacles Still to Overcome

The report is clear, however, to remind that there are still a variety of technical, economic, and political obstacles to overcome.

“PV connection and integration procedures are not yet clearly defined, and there are concerns about grid stability as PV contributions come online,” noted Sunsong. “Electricity subsidies in Mexico and low natural gas prices in Peru are also delaying the onset of PV grid-parity for some end-user categories, while import tariffs across the region are keeping PV system costs on the high side.”

Engendering further PV growth in the Latin America and Caribbean region is vitally important in the face of softening demand across Europe and uncertainty in PV markets across the United States, China, and India.

“Having a successful market-entry strategy for Latin America is now essential for leading PV suppliers before key markets develop in the region and supply-chains and purchasing channels are established,” concluded Sunsong.

Source: NPD Solarbuzz


Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.

Latest CleanTechnica TV Video


Advertisement
 
CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here.

Joshua S Hill

I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.

Joshua S Hill has 4403 posts and counting. See all posts by Joshua S Hill