Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 5 hrs ago
Brazil Could Have Second-Lowest Firm Solar Power Costs by 2035
IRENA projects Brazil's firm solar power could cost about US$41/MWh in 2035, among the lowest levels in the markets it assessed.
The estimate combines solar panels with battery storage and assumes electricity can be supplied with 95% reliability.
Brazil would tie with Oman and rank behind only China, where the projected cost is about US$33/MWh.
Firm solar means making renewable electricity more predictable, rather than relying only on sunlight as it is generated.
Falling battery costs are a key reason for the lower projections: storage system costs worldwide fell 93% from 2010 to 2024.
More affordable, reliable solar could help meet rising demand for renewable power and make better use of existing electricity infrastructure.
The figures are estimates for specific projects and locations, so they do not represent the cost of every solar project in Brazil.
Brazil could have firm solar power costs of about US$41 per megawatt-hour in 2035, according to projections by the International Renewable Energy Agency.
The projection puts Brazil behind China and level with Oman among the markets assessed.
The estimate is based on combining solar generation with battery storage to provide electricity with 95% reliability.
IRENA says falling battery costs are a major factor in reducing the cost of firm renewable power.
The Brazilian Solar Energy Association says the combination could help meet growing demand for reliable renewable electricity.
- Who
- Brazil, compared with other markets assessed by the International Renewable Energy Agency.
- What
- Brazil could have firm solar power costs of about US$41 per megawatt-hour in 2035.
- When
- The projection is for 2035. The figures were released on October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Brazil; the assessment compares markets in several countries.
- Why
- The estimate reflects the combination of solar generation and battery storage, as well as falling storage costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Global battery storage system costs fell 93%, from US$2,634 per kilowatt-hour to US$197 per kilowatt-hour.
Firm solar power costs at assessed high-quality solar sites were about US$65–82 per megawatt-hour.
A high-irradiation location in Bahia was estimated to have firm solar costs of about US$44 per megawatt-hour.
IRENA projected Brazil’s firm solar power costs at about US$41 per megawatt-hour.
- Brazil, 2035
- About US$41/MWh for firm solar power
- Reliability
- 95%
- China, 2035
- About US$33/MWh
- Oman, 2035
- Tied with Brazil in the comparison
- Global battery costs, 2010–2024
- Fell 93%, from US$2,634/kWh to US$197/kWh