Brazil retreats from solar auctions

April 16, 2012
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Despite our reports in March and earlier this month, the Brazilian Secretary of Energy Planning and Development of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Altino Ventura Filho, has announced that solar energy will not form part of auctions in order to augment generation of solar power.

Auctions are already in place for wind power, but the Brazilian government had proposed to implement new regulations to make solar PV a more viable option for electricity generation in the country. The argument for going back on this decision has been attributed to claims that the price of solar is too high. In previous auctions, the government alleges that solar power cost on average €150, whereas wind energy is around €76.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The minister suggested that foreign investors have calculated a 15 – 20% annual drop in price in five years time, when solar energy would become more competitive and would be able to stand up against other renewables such as wind power, which is fairly established in the country.

The government states that low demand for solar power means there is no urgency to develop it presently and offers more time for evaluation.

Read Next

November 13, 2025
Xcel Energy will have to provide higher-quality data, and introduce flexible tariffs, following a vote from the Colorado PUC.
November 13, 2025
The world generated 2,109.76TWh of electricity from solar in the first nine months of the year, a 31% increase over the same period in 2025.
November 13, 2025
US solar hardware manufacturer Create Energy and Swiss cable producer Stäubli have announced a partnership to produce a new solar connector product.
Premium
November 13, 2025
Analysis: The opening of Corning's Michigan wafer plant puts it in a strong position to supply US-made, FEOC-compliant products, while competition from outside remains scarce.
November 13, 2025
Forget any preconceptions about solar power in the Nordics; the cold, seasonally dark region is fast becoming a solar success story, writes Annelie Westén.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Lisbon, Portugal
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA