Tag Archives: solar energy latin america

Mexico

Solar Energy Mexico

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Mexico became the sixth most attractive global economy for renewable energies in the last four years, following an energy reform enacted in December 2013 that attracted investments for US$ 8,600 million.

Prices that resulted from three long-term auctions carried out by the state regulator from 2014 to date, showed a downward trend and have been considered among the most competitive in the world.

With 70% of its sunny territory and an energy reform that opened doors to innovation and private investments, Mexico is on its way to becoming a future world leader in solar energy.

Resultado de imagen de energía solar mexico

A 2009 report by German Corporation for International Cooperation concluded that Mexico could generate all its electricity with a single solar mega plant in the Sonoran desert. Country would even have energy left over for export.

Mexico is the fourth largest producer of electricity from geothermal energy and has more than 230 plants in operation and construction for renewable energy electricity generation.

Country has raised the stakes with actions such as the second energy auction for 2019 and the recent energy reform to ensure that 35% of its energy comes from renewable sources in 2024.

The estimated investment within the next 15 years is US$ 119 billion, with which this sector will be the second with highest investment after automotive industry.

Oaxaca and Veracruz are the states with more wind and biomass projects respectively, while states such as Sonora, Chihuahua and Durango are the states with the most photovoltaic park installation projects.

In Sonora State, the construction of four new electricity generation plants based on solar energy is planned.

These projects will have a capacity of 498 MW and will invest U$D 423 million in next three years.

They will be added to the three solar plants that are already in operation, together with the solar-photovoltaic projects AT Solar I-V Blumex Power and Orejana.

The Tastiota and El Mayo solar plants will also be built, which will have 100 MW and 99 MW capacity respectively.

The Bacabachi I solar plant will have a capacity of 200 MW and April solar plant, 99 MW.

Resultado de imagen de energía solar mexico

However, in the country, it is necessary to carry out sophisticated engineering processes and route plans for optimal transport, since deficiencies in infrastructure are still observed.

In addition, upon arrival in Mexican territory, it is necessary to ensure that imported products comply with the necessary regulations, so assistance of true experts is required to verify the use of sectoral programs that allow cost savings, as is the case of steel (PROSEC), during components used in the solar parks importation.

All you need is Sun. All you need is Sopelia.

Solar Energy

Solar Energy in Latin America

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Before evaluating the solar potential of the region, we will expose some macro variables.

Latin America includes Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela.

It has 22.222.000 km2 (approximately 13.5% of the planet’s land surface) and more than 600 million inhabitants.

The region has a remarkable political and economic diversity and is unstable because of the continued monetary policy focus shift.

Currently, in Latin America 3 types of economic systems are recognized.

The capitalists, with open economies that rely on the free market and free trade agreements. Some of these countries are Peru, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica.

Countries that, even though argue having an open structure to the world, are clearly protectionists, with a social market or mixed economy. Some of these countries are Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay.

Finally there are a few countries that maintain closed economies with little regard for free market and with a clear tendency to Marxist models. This is the case of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.

The largest economies by GDP are Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela.

The most developed in terms of GDP per capita are Chile, Argentina and Uruguay’s economies.

Let us analyze the solar resource available in the region.

Solar energy is evenly distributed, since much of the region lies within the so called ‘Sun Belt’ region presenting the highest solar radiation; with the exception of specific sites, it is a predictable and reliable resource.

What is the main advantage of solar energy over other renewable energies?

Solar energy has a higher degree of integration into the urban environment.

Roof facilities take advantage of idle surfaces to generate clean energy. The country that manages to focus its efforts on such facilities’ development will have the key to its own, and its inhabitants’, energy sovereignty.

Another important factor is that solar installations can be performed by local workers, reducing dependency on technology developers and equipment suppliers (mostly manufactured outside the region). This eliminates the link between the equipment’s sale, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance; unlike it happens with other renewables.

With some of the best solar resources in the world, Latin America has great opportunities.

Some reasons to be optimistic:

1. Good levels of solar radiation in the region

2. Sustained downward trend in solar systems components’ prices

3. Technology with high potential for generating local employment

4. Increasing public environmental awareness

5. Convenience for many countries to reduce dependence on oil and its derivatives

6. Political will is evidenced by governments of some countries in the region

And some outstanding issues:

1- Investment in modern interconnected transmission networks infrastructure and bidirectional measurement equipment

2- A larger financial market to support solar technology long-term development with loans

3- Legal uncertainty and economic instability in some countries of the region

In upcoming deliveries we will analyze the thermal and photovoltaic solar energy domestic applications’ situation in the region.