Is the success of small-scale photovoltaic solar energy generation achievable in Brazil?

Abstract

Abstract The Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy is an essential source for the transition of non-renewable energy generation to clean energy generation worldwide. One of the options to increase participation of PV in the Brazilian energy matrix is to invest in Small-scale Distributed Generation (DG). However, this generation represents less than 0.3% of the demand consumed in the captive market of the country. Even though Brazilian consumers are interested in purchasing PV systems, selling the system is still a challenge for the industry, since the sale conversion rate represented only 6.88% in 2018. In this context, this research aims to discuss what are the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for the growth of the of photovoltaic solar energy in small scale in Brazil. The results of the study provided a total of 43 CSFs, which were cited 165 times by the selected articles, capable of explaining the success of the PV energy in Brazil. A hierarchical structure was structured, grouping the CSFs into six Fundamental Viewpoints (FV): economic; environmental; marketing; political; social, and technological. Through this analysis, it was possible to determine which CSFs are favorable aspects and barriers to the success of this technology, which may not enable the operation of productive systems with cleaner sources of energy.