The Future of Solar Energy in Chile

High energy costs, electricity black-outs, growing resistance towards expanding hydro and falling equipment prices are paving the way for solar photovoltaic energy generation in Chile.

Chile’s capital city will host the “International PV Trade Mission: Chile,” which will take place from November 12 to 16.

Promoted by Solarplaza, a Dutch company with a focus on solar energy trade missions and conferences, the event will bring together entrepreneurs and industry experts from Europe, the USA, China and Chile to explore the developments of the Chilean solar market.

According to the study REN21 (Renewable Energy Policy Network), the globally installed, grew from 40GW to 70GW in 2011. In Chile the installed capacity is still less than 5MW right now, but with more than 2GW of projects already announced, it is expected to grow rapidly from 2013 on. “Solar PV is no longer a promise, but a reality. In many countries, including Chile, ‘grid parity’ is now reached, meaning that solar energy is already a cost competitive energy source without any subsidies, “ says Edwin Koot, CEO of Solarplaza.

Despite the ongoing global crisis, the Chilean economy has been forecasted to grow at an average growth rate of nearly 5% per year, between 2011 and 2015. That positions the country’s economy among the 25 most rapidly growing economies in the world.

Since the end of the first quarter, when the first MW sized project was completed, the application of PV has steadily been increasing in Chile. Legislation to set new renewable energy targets is currently under consideration. If approved, the country will have to increase its share of renewable energy from the current level of 3% to 20% by 2020. Chilean President Sebastián Piñera has repeatedly confirmed his commitment to renewable energy and so far, SEIA (Chile’s Environmental Impact Assessment Agency) has approved 685 MW of PV and solar thermal projects, with another 1.900 MW awaiting permits.

The high irradiation levels, combined with the current vision of the government and the need for new energy capacity, stimulated by the growing economy make Chile one of the most promising emerging markets for PV.

PROGRAM – The International PV Trade Mission: Chile will bring together key-stakeholders from all throughout the value chain. “We are bringing together representatives from equipment manufacturers, energy utilities, installers, EPC’s, financiers and investors from Chile and abroad, to build valuable business relations and learn from each others experience,” explains the CEO of Solarplaza. During the trade mission pressing topics will be discussed, such as: the cost of photovoltaic energy, government policies, the market potential in Chile, international experience in the industry, forms of financing, success stories and more. Amongst the companies that have already confirmed their participation in the event are prominent businesses, like Enel Greenpower, Banco Santander, JA Solar, Canadian Solar, Fronius International, Chilectra, Banco BICE, Sputnik Engineering, SolarAccess and Siemens.

DETAILS
International PV Trade Mission Chile 2012
WHEN: November 12-16, 2012
WHERE: Santiago
SCHEDULE, INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION: www.pvtrademissionchile.com