MANY MINDEDBrazil's Solar Imports Plummet as Grid Restrictions Tighten
Brazil imported 5.48 gigawatts of solar modules in the first half of 2026, down 48% from 10.57 gigawatts in H1 2025. Utility-scale imports collapsed 82% year-on-year (from 2.3 gigawatts to 430 megawatts), while distributed generation imports fell 39% (from 8.2 gigawatts to 5.0 gigawatts). Distributed projects now account for 92% of total imports, with 79% of system integrators in Minas Gerais reporting grid connection refusals due to reverse power flow in 2025—a problem affecting 60% of remote distributed generation under the TUSD tariff's 'Fio B' component.
The decline reflects policy-induced solar curtailment, as Brazil's government restricts renewable energy access. National grid connection refusals due to reverse power flow averaged 33% in 2025, and financing participation for solar projects dropped from 57% in 2021 to 41% in 2026. While utility-scale imports rose 6.5% in May 2026 (the only monthly exception), this temporary rebound did not reverse the year-on-year decline.
This trend deepens energy inequality by limiting grid access for distributed solar projects—critical for low-income communities. As utility-scale capacity shrinks, the burden of grid stability falls further on households and remote areas, restricting renewable energy adoption where it’s most needed. The Brazilian government’s policies are tightening the gate on solar access, making clean energy less available for those without financial or technical resources.
What to watch: The May rebound in utility-scale imports may signal temporary market shifts, but the year-on-year decline persists. If grid connection refusals continue rising, distributed solar access could become even more restricted. Data from Greener consultancy shows all figures represent year-on-year comparisons unless specified.
Source: pv magazine