Generating solar power for individual residential use is now economically viable for 15 percent of Brazilian households, according to the Energy Research Company (EPE), a government agency. The cost per megawatt/hour for households works out to around 300 dollars, which is less than the rates charged by 10 of the more than 60 electric power retailers operating in Brazil.

This cost estimate includes an installation cost of around 19,000 dollars and the possibility of selling surplus electricity to power companies, in line with recently adopted regulations.

But large-scale photovoltaic power generation remains economically unviable, even if it were exempt from taxes that can be as high as 28 percent.

EPE president Mauricio Tolmasquim told Tierramérica that for the time being, the large-scale use of solar polar would be economically detrimental for consumers, “because the cost per megawatt/hour would be almost triple the cost of energy from other sources.”