Why is solar energy important in Argentina?

The north of Argentina experiences high levels of solar radiation and has the capacity to produce electricity and jobs for rural and underserved communities in the country. Unfortunately, there are several factors limiting the total deployment of renewable energy in Argentina.

Should Argentina invest in solar energy?

If Argentina were able to stabilize its economy and provide better incentives for solar, investors would be more apt to support renewable energy projects. However, the lack of residential distributed generation projects is hindering mainstream solar adoption.

When did solar thermal energy become a key energy source in Argentina?

Solar thermal energy in Argentina was already considered a potential key energy source in 1975 , when a national R&D program for the development of solar energy and other renewables was launched, leading to numerous research programs (see next section) and the elaboration of norms and certification criteria for ST collectors .

Is solar adoption a problem in Argentina?

(Credit: Nestor Barbitta) For a country with the abundant solar resources of Argentina, the lack of PV adoption is cause for concern. The north of Argentina experiences high levels of solar radiation and has the capacity to produce electricity and jobs for rural and underserved communities in the country.

What is the contribution of photovoltaic electricity to Argentina's grid system?

The first contribution of photovoltaic electricity to Argentina´s grid system occurred in 2011, with a participation of 0.0014% to the total electricity demand, which is a modest contribution to the 1% incidence of renewable energy (RE) at the time, which included small, i.e., ≤50 MW, hydroelectric plants .

What is the energy mix in Argentina?

Energy in Argentina According to official data, the primary energy mix for 2019 was composed of 89% fossil fuels, 3.9% hydroelectric power, 2.8% nuclear power, and smaller amounts from other sources, including renewables.