Cumulative investments in solar energy in Brazil have exceeded BRL 300 billion, including both large-scale plants and self-generation systems, according to the Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association (ABSOLAR).

Despite this historic progress, the sector has faced a recent slowdown, with a decline in the pace of new projects over the past year.

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Among the main factors contributing to the slowdown are the curtailment of renewable power plants, often involving surplus generation without financial compensation for developers, and connection difficulties for small systems due to grid capacity constraints.

Key industry figures:

• Cumulative investments: over BRL 300 billion;
• Jobs created: over 2 million in the past decade;
• Installed capacity: 68.6 gigawatts (GW) in operation;
• Public revenue: BRL 95.9 billion;
• Share of the electricity mix: 25.3% (the country’s second-largest source).

This growth is occurring despite a significant decline in 2025. According to the survey, the capacity added to the energy grid fell by 25.6 percent, from 15.6 GW in 2024 to 11.6 GW the following year.

Solar energy is spreading across Brazil, with large-scale plants in various regions and distributed generation systems (small plants and rooftops) installed in more than 5,000 municipalities.

Distributed generation (small plants and rooftops):

• São Paulo: 6.5 GW;
• Minas Gerais: 5.8 GW;
• Paraná: 4.2 GW.

According to ABSOLAR’s assessment, recent obstacles have limited the sector’s growth potential, resulting in business closures, canceled investments, and job losses. According to Barbara Rubim, the association’s president-elect for the 2026–2030 term, the priority will be to promote the sustainable expansion of solar energy, focusing on regulatory improvements, strengthening the free energy market, and incentivizing complementary technologies such as energy storage and green hydrogen.

Among the main points advocated by the association is the regulation of electricity storage under the Special Incentive Regime for Infrastructure Development (REIDI). According to the association, this can be implemented through administrative regulations - via presidential decrees or ministerial ordinances - without the need for congressional approval of bills or provisional measures.

The organization also advocates for changes to promote solar energy storage projects under the special tax regime for sectors included in the tax reform.

Founded in 2013, ABSOLAR brings together companies and institutions across the photovoltaic energy chain and works to coordinate the sector in support of Brazil’s energy transition.