How much solar power does Colombia have?

The Colombian authorities have allocated 4.4 GW of solar capacity at a rate of $0.0182/kWh in the nation’s latest energy auction, with solar plants accounting for approximately 99% of the assigned capacity.

Who owns a 61 MW solar plant in Colombia?

The final average price for the PV technology was significantly higher than that of the previous procurement exercise. The 61 MW solar facility is owned by Colombian oil company Ecopetrol.

Is solar energy a problem in Colombia?

Taking into account that Colombia is mostly a desert area, what was presented above confirms the deficit of photovoltaic development in the ZNIs, that underutilize the solar resource and the great territorial extension. 4. Future picture of the solar energy

What is the history of solar PV adoption in Colombia?

Mesa recounted the history of solar PV adoption in his country and provided details on the most recent developments, including the construction of Colombia’s largest solar park by Italian group Enel and the first large scale battery project by Canadian Solar.

Why are photovoltaic systems important in Colombia?

The implementation of photovoltaic systems in Colombia has enabled 2% of the population in areas that do not have access to electric energy to meet their lighting, refrigeration and leisure needs, allowing them to expand their capacities and improve their quality of life. The systems that have been installed are mainly focused on the rural sector.

What does Colombia's new solar decree mean for the world?

Colombia’s new decree includes requirements that energy communities must meet, such as rules on collective self-consumption and collective distributed generation. PV initiatives should be designed to last, as several well-meaning off-grid solar projects for the developing world have floundered over the years.