Brazil adds 1.4 GW of solar collectors, surging to global No. 2 in 2024

May 27, 2025

The Brazilian solar thermal market continues to grow – by a remarkable 11% in 2024. This pushes Brazil ahead of Turkey, making it the second largest market in the world after China. In 2024, 2 million m² were added, corresponding to 1.4 GW. The drivers in the market are the growing construction sector, strong brand positioning of the national collector and tank industry and increased efforts of system providers – both in upgrading their production capacity and opening up new market segments. These are the results of the most recent market report published by the solar thermal industry association ABRASOL. The photo shows one of the very few solar industrial heat plants in Brazil. Since October 2024, 980 m² of evacuated flat plate collectors provide heat at up to 90 °C to a chocolate milk production plant of Nestlé in Feira de Santana, near the coast in the state of Bahia. Photo: TVP Solar

“Our main growth drivers have been the retail and residential construction sectors. Our strategy focuses on strengthening partnerships with large retail chains and construction firms, and enhancing digital engagement and technical education”, explained Eduardo Montalvão, Manufacturing Manager of Soma Group, which has two solar heat brands Pro-Sol Solar Energy and Heliotek. He sees the long-term outlook very positively. “With energy prices on the rise and sustainability gaining priority, we foresee growing adoption.”

The diversification strategy of the solar heat industry to open up markets beyond the residential sector is visible in the market statistics. Sales in the commercial segment have shown a noticeable increase, growing from a share of 12% of the newly installed collector area in 2023 to 19% in 2024. One prospering segment is hotels. They need solar to improve guest comfort and reduce energy costs. In many regions, they rarely have to use backups as there is enough solar radiation all year round for the solar collector fields. However, the residential sector continues to dominate, accounting for 76% of total sales. The industrial sector represents 3%. Social projects account for the remaining 2%.

The hotel sector is an important sales channel for the solar industry in Brazil Photo: Solis Solar

Countless opportunities in the solar process heat market segment

As part of its expansion strategy, system provider Solis Solar is focusing on training, specialized retail outlets, and digital marketing. “We have invested heavily in both technical and commercial training for our team and selected partners across Brazil”, said Leonardo Chamone Cardoso, Technical and Commercial Director at Solis Solar. He believes the launch of the new DimenSolis 2.0 sizing tool will drive additional sales. This open-access tool enables users to estimate annual energy savings and recommends the most suitable installation method.

Although still a small market segment, Cardoso sees high long-term potential in the solar process heat market: “Solis is in the completion phase of projects at four craft breweries that will use solar heaters. There are no doubt countless opportunities in this market.”

Marcelo Leite, Country General Manager for Brazil at Swiss company TVP Solar, shares this optimistic outlook: “In addition to the systems already implemented at PepsiCo and Nestlé, we have several new projects with these companies set to be installed soon.” He added that TVP Solar is also working on additional projects with other major players — particularly in the food and beverage sector, which is the largest energy consumer in Brazilian industry. However, Leite also pointed out key barriers facing the Brazilian solar industry: “Constant fluctuations in fossil fuel prices, the widespread availability of low-cost biomass, and the absence of tax incentives for industrial solar heat all pose significant challenges.”

São Paulo takes the lead with its mandatory solar building law

An important policy achievement was reached at the end of 2024 with the entry into force of CEUSO Resolution No. 156/2024 in December 2024, which harmonizes the concepts of the São Paulo Solar Building Law. “This measure will have a positive impact on the sector’s results this year”, stated Mauro Isaac Aisemberg, President of ABRASOL and General Manager of two collector manufacturers Heliotek and Pro-Sol, which belong both to Soma Group. The resolution mandates the installation or preparation for solar water heating in various new buildings:

Residential buildings, excluding single-family homes and horizontally grouped units without condominium status, with more than three bathrooms.
Non-residential buildings with facilities for bathing or activities requiring heated water.
Any building with a heated swimming pool.

The city of São Paulo leads the way, with approximately 3,000 new solar heat installations each year. The potential to replicate this legislation in other cities is significant, according to Danielle Johann, Executive Director of ABRASOL.

The association has also made great efforts to include solar water heaters in the Minha Casa, Minha Vida (My House, My Life) social housing programme. For the past two years, a decision by Congress has been pending to determine the regions where solar water heaters will become mandatory within the programme. “The inclusion of solar thermal energy is progressing very slowly in the Brazilian Congress. Most of the time, solar thermal is overlooked in national public policies”, Johann explained, commenting on the delay.

Brazilian solar thermal market development 2015 to 2024. Almost half of the newly installed collector area is unglazed collectors which are used for swimming pool heating. Source: ABRASOL