Why do we need a solar energy in Brazil?

Many people are asking me why I'm studying and working on solar energy in Brazil. Why solar and not biomass, where Brazil have so many successful projects or do not work with consolidated wind energy?

Let me try to explain you here why I'm so passionate about the solar energy and especially in Brazil:

First of all, Solar energy is growing much faster than any other renewables. Accordingly to Renewable Energy Network report growth rate in 2013 for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) was 28%, for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) 26% and for wind only 11%.

Growth rate by renewable energy technology during past decade
Source: REN 21, 10 years of renewable energy progress 2004-2014

Nowadays, wind power accounts for the largest share of growth in renewables-based generation (34%), followed by hydropower (30%), solar technologies reaches only 18%. However, we can see more investments made in solar energy ($114 billion) rather the wind energy ($80 billion), (World Energy Outlook, 2014). 

Secondly, while wind energy sector employs around 0.8 million persons, the solar photov

oltaic sector accounts for 2.3 million jobs (2013), largely concentrated in China. The Chinese PV value chain employed 1.6 million people and shows an outstanding example of what solar energy could bring into the economy (IRENA, 2014).

Jobs in selected countries in 2013 (IRENA, 2014)

And finally -  the great potential of solar energy in Brazil. Currently in Brazil there are 5GW of wind energy in operation and 10.2 GW planning or under construction. Solar energy, however, hangs for the moment behind with 20 MW in operation, but 50 MW are already planned to be introduced (ANEEL data, 2015). Brazil has all the conditions to be one of the leading countries in solar energy sector and there are some of the criteria that could prove its potential:
• Germany is famous as one of the main solar energy producers with the solar irradiation between 900-1250 kWh/m2/year. In Brazil the south regions with the lowest irradiation are equal to the best spots in Germany and accounts about 1,500 kWh/m2/year, while in the north regions irradiation could achieve around 2,500 kWh/m2/year.
• Brazil has one of the most expensive prices of electricity in the world that could be profitable for the renewable energy development. High electricity prices help to achieve the grid parity when the renewable energy sources could compete with other fossil fuel sources in terms of generated electricity costs.
• Photovoltaic technology represents the opportunities to decentralize electricity production and bring it to the remote areas. Many people still live without electricity in Brazil and it’s very costly to extend the grid to these villages. PV panels with batteries could be rapidly delivered and installed in these areas; however, there are many other problems that were not resolved as the maintenance of technology, environmental problems and social acceptance of such innovation.
• Other technology that uses solar irradiation as a resource for energy generation is Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) that has the unique possibilities of 24 hours constant energy generation. Brazil offers a great potential for the CSP technology as it has a high direct normal solar irradiation, especially near the equator. Furthermore, Brazil has a developed industrial sector that can be adapt to produce the component of CSP plant, as steel and glass industry, chemical and petrochemical companies. Jointly with the German government, Brazil has started the bilateral technical cooperation project aimed to create the conditions for developing and disseminating CSP in Brazil.