Latin America PV pipeline approaching 20GW

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

PV in Latin America is gathering momentum with a pipeline approaching 20GW and 1GW expected to be installed this year, according to GTM Research.

The latest edition of its 'Latin American Playbook' reveals that over the past quarter, the region’s PV pipeline has increased by 22%, reaching 19.5GW. A totoal of 514 PV projects are currently located in Latin America, valued at a total cost of US$26 billion.

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 pipeline that the report measured was a combination of both announced projects and total capacity under construction. At the moment, 836MW of projects are currently under construction while 18.7GW of systems have been announced.

Over 50MW of projects have come online over the past three months – creating a total of 377MW of large-scale PV capacity in the region.

Thanks in large part to a 70MW Salvador PV project that is expected to commence operations in December, Chile is expected to lead all Latin American countries with 277MW of installed capacity in 2014. Since the end of 2013 the country's huge PV pipeline has begun to be realised, with US firm SunEdison completing two projects in country and compatriot, First Solar, getting underway with what will be Chile's largest PV plant.

Solar analyst Adam James said: “The strong fundamentals in the Chilean market are finally translating into real results, as credible projects secure offtake agreements and lock in financing. But it's not just quantity of megawatts that makes Chile so interesting. Chile is pioneering sustainable solar markets, and we are seeing many companies pursuing non-traditional business models for selling solar power, such as negotiating shorter-length or more flexible contracts and selling some, or all, power into the spot electricity market.”

GTM expects more than 1GW of projects will come online across the region in 2014 – seven times more than what was installed in 2013.

However, despite having previously forecast Mexico to be the region's leader this year, GTM said it had revised this projection because of pending new energy legislation.

“Mexico’s energy market is currently on edge for constitutional reforms. Solar projects are being delayed and held in suspense for law changes,” said James.

Ulimately, though, this should help the solar sector, speeding up procurement and interconnection and boosting installatoins, James added.

Brazil’s solar fortunes and those of Latin America more broadly are explored in depth in the new issue of Solar Business Focus, out now. Click here to read it.

Read Next

September 18, 2025
The capacity of virtual power plants in operation in North America has reached 37.5GW, a 13.7% year-on-year growth, according to Wood Mackenzie.
September 18, 2025
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) has forecast that Canada will add between 17GW and 26GW of solar PV over the next decade.
September 18, 2025
Researchers have called for enhanced international standards to detect ultraviolet-induced degradation (UVID) in PV modules after identifying “severe” levels of the problem in operational n-type panels.             
September 18, 2025
Indian PV makers have welcomed the government’s plan to add solar wafers to its ALMM List-III from June 2028.
September 17, 2025
US renewables developer Longroad Energy has reached financial close for its 400MW 1000 Mile solar project in the US state of Texas.
September 17, 2025
Spanish renewables developer and operator Acciona Energía has commissioned its 412MWp Juna solar PV plant in Kawani village in the western state of Rajasthan. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA