Brazil Plans to Nearly Double Solar Power by 2035

Brazil just unveiled an ambitious energy plan that could transform how South America's largest country powers itself.

The country's Ministry of Mines and Energy released its Ten-Year Energy Expansion Plan, projecting solar capacity will surge from 60 GW today to 107 GW by 2035. That massive expansion would make solar Brazil's second-biggest power source, supplying nearly 30% of the nation's electricity.

Most of that growth will come from an exciting source: ordinary homes and businesses. Rooftop solar and small-scale installations are expected to jump from 40 GW to 78 GW as Brazilians increasingly take energy production into their own hands.

Utility-scale solar farms will grow more slowly, rising from 20 GW to 29 GW. The reason is a good problem to have. Brazil already generates so much renewable energy during the day that adding more large solar plants sometimes creates more electricity than the grid can use.

Solar will inch closer to Brazil's traditional powerhouse: hydroelectric dams. Hydropower is projected to reach 113 GW by 2035, still leading but with solar closing the gap fast.

Brazil's total electricity capacity will expand from 249 GW to 359 GW over the decade. That's enough additional power to light up millions more homes while maintaining the country's position as one of the world's renewable energy champions.

The Ripple Effect

Brazil's solar boom shows what happens when clean energy becomes affordable and accessible. As installation costs drop, regular people are choosing to generate their own power rather than waiting for utility companies to build massive projects.

The shift to distributed solar also makes Brazil's energy system more resilient. Instead of relying on power flowing from distant dams or power plants, communities generate electricity where they need it.

The plan acknowledges challenges ahead, particularly matching solar's daytime production with nighttime demand. Energy storage solutions will become critical as solar grows, creating new opportunities for battery technology and innovation.

Even with rapid solar growth, Brazil will maintain one of the world's cleanest energy mixes. Renewables currently supply 94% of installed capacity and are projected to remain above 88% through 2035.

Brazil's ambitious timeline proves that major economies can scale clean energy quickly when they commit to it.