April 3, 2025 – Brazil continues to dominate the solar energy landscape in South America, home to the largest photovoltaic power plants in the region. With rapid adoption of renewable energy sources, Brazil significantly outpaces neighboring countries like Chile and Argentina, whose most notable recent projects—CEME1 (480 MW) and Cauchari (300 MW), respectively—are still far behind Brazil’s largest installations.
Brazil’s top photovoltaic plants include:
1. Janaúba – 1.6 GW
2. São Gonçalo – 864 MW
3. Sol do Cerrado – 766 MW
4. Futuro – 692 MW
5. Hélio Valgas – 662 MW
6. Mendubim – 531 MW
7. CEME1 (Chile) – 480 MW
8. Sol do Sertão – 475 MW
9. Belmonte – 455 MW
10. Buena Suerte – 438 MW
If completed, Peru’s Kallpa project could potentially enter the top 10 list, but ongoing developments in Brazil may soon outpace it again.
Peru’s Solar Energy Ambitions
Peru is positioning itself as a future leader in clean energy, with solar projects totaling 11.5 GW of installed capacity currently underway. Former Minister Rómulo Mucho recently emphasized the nation’s vast renewable energy potential during the “Energy Transmission Policies in Peru” forum, hosted by the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL).
According to estimates by Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem), the country holds 937 GW of solar energy potential, making it a prime location for the development of large-scale photovoltaic projects. The government has already projected US$8.3 billion in investment toward solar energy development, signaling strong institutional backing for a renewable energy transition.
A Diverse Renewable Portfolio
Beyond solar, Peru’s total renewable potential is robust and diverse:
• Hydropower: 70 GW
• Wind energy: 20 GW
• Geothermal: 3 GW
These figures reflect not only the country’s geographic and climatic advantages but also a growing political and economic will to transition toward clean, sustainable energy solutions.
As Brazil cements its leadership in solar power across the continent, countries like Peru are preparing to scale up, potentially reshaping the region’s energy landscape in the coming decade.