Distributed generation key to solar sector expansion in Brazil - Energy Minister

Expansion of solar power in Brazil will mainly come from distributed generation on roofs of buildings and houses, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Eduardo Braga, believes.

Today, it is already easy to notice the growing interest of people to put solar panels on the roofs of their homes, as well as of entrepreneurs to integrate them in their businesses, the minister said on Thursday at the opening of a seminar in celebration of the 15 years of the Brazilian Association of Energy Traders (Abraceel).

Soon, the Brazilian government will launch a programme to boost distributed solar systems with attractive conditions for both the population and investors, the government noted in a press release.The matter is being discussed now on several fronts, with the national power regulator Aneel, the Ministry of Finance, the Congress and governors, especially on tax reliefs.

The minister also pointed out that since the implementation of Brazil's new electricity sector model, back in 2004, the free energy market, used by large consumers to directly buy its electrical power, has consolidated and now represents almost 30% of all electricity consumed in the country.

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