Ecuador is in a prime location in terms of solar resource, being almost perpendicular the radiation received, unchanged during the year and with a constant angle of incidence; characteristics that give enormous potential for photovoltaic use.
Ecuador’s solar market has developed mostly in isolated facilities for rural electrification until recently.
The first photovoltaic grid connected plant is located in the northern province of Imbabura, with 998 kW nominal power.
To boost photovoltaic generation, in 2012 Conelec renovated 04/11 regulation and set a preferential rate of U$D 0.40 per kW / h of generation.
Under that legislation, in January 2013, the Conelec signed permits for domestic and foreign enterprises to build 355 MW of photovoltaic energy in 91 projects (15 greater than 1 MW and 76 less than 1MW).
The granting of these permits received numerous criticisms of sectors stated that rate was too high compared to hydroelectric generation cost or the same photovoltaic in other countries of the region.
The Conelec revoked building permits of several projects because concessionaires failed to meet construction schedules because funding lack. In some cases because works were started without studies or authorizations.
Representatives of some projects construction companies said that delays and permits revocation were due a number of construction bureaucratic obstacles, in addition to lack of funding.
Initially, the National Finance Corporation (CFN) announced that would finance such projects, promise did not materialize.
Companies that completed their projects said they had no problems with control entities and requested they be allowed to take over the unfinished projects.
The stark reality is that by the end of 2013 operated in Ecuador 4 MW photovoltaic.
During 2014 new PV installed capacity was 22 MW, bringing the installed capacity in 26 MW in early 2015.
The accumulated installed capacity stagnated below 30 MW since during 2015 virtually no photovoltaic MW was added in the country.
Given that in January 2013 agreements for over 300 MW photovoltaic projects were closed, it is clear that progress is much slower than initially expected.
Ecuador does not have a framework to regulate and promote the photovoltaic distributed generation.
According to the 2015 National Energy Balance, electricity generation corresponds to 45.6% hydropower; 0.3% wind energy; 0.1% solar energy and 1.6% biomass energy.
Solar energy in Latam with Sopelia.