By Jorge Zarco

Mexico’s solar energy association Asolmex has revealed the country’s cumulative installed PV capacity has risen 32% this year, from 3,075 MW at the end of December, to 4,057 MW.

“Mexico is called to be a global player in solar energy,” said Asolmex president Hector Olea, “one of the most competitive and dynamic. Sustained growth contributes to meet the country’s demand for electricity which grows at an annual rate of more than 3%.”

At the end of December, the country had 38 large scale solar power plants in commercial operation, in 11 states. A little more than five months on, 44 solar parks operate in 14 states, with an installed capacity of 3,364 MW, representing 34% growth in large scale generation.

That represents total solar capacity investment to date of more than $6.5 billion, as well as the creation of more than 50,000 jobs which help regional development of the areas in which the plants operate, added the association.

Raising the roofs

As for distributed generation, at the end of December there were 85,000 net metering contracts nationwide adding up to a total installed capacity of 570 MW. Today, 94,893 solar roofs operate, which translates into capacity of 693 MW for growth of 22% in less than six months.

Distributed generation has achieved direct investment of more than $1.8 billion and has created more than 6,000 jobs in the value chain, which positions the technology as one of the most successful and competitive in Mexico, said the solar body.

“The solar sector is on the right path to consolidate itself as the technology with the highest growth in the clean generation portfolio, which contributes to the increase in security and energy sustainability in Mexico,” Olea said.