Total installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in Argentina is approximately 1.408 GW.⁷

Argentina’s Solar PV power is expected to record highest growth rate of 17.07% by 2035, with production capacity projected to reach approximately 4.5-5 GW by 2030. Top of Form⁸

• Natural gas – the production cost is significantly higher for a small percentage of consumers, with only 17.5% paying around 0.141 $/m3, while the majority pay a subsidized rate of about 0.0247 $/m3.⁹
• Hydropower: According to data from the Los Nihuiles Hydro Power Plant, the average price for hydropower generated electricity was approximately 17 $/MWh in 2023, down from 23 $/MWh in 2022.¹⁰
• Renewables – 65 $/MWh.¹¹
• Solar – In 2022, the average installed cost of utility-scale photovoltaics was 949 $/kWh.¹²

• Natural Gas: 58.7%
• Hydropower: 22%
• Wind: 9.9%
• Nuclear Power: 6%
• Solar: 2.2%
• Bioenergy: 1.5% ¹³

Daily availability of electricity from the national grid in Argentina is influenced by frequent and sometimes extensive power outages, with recent incidents affecting millions of people due to infrastructure challenges and high demand:¹⁴¹⁵¹⁶

• In March 2023, a major power outage affected approximately 20 million people, which is about 40% of the country’s population.
• On June 16, 2019, an operational failure in the national grid led to a massive outage affecting around 48 million people across Argentina and parts of Uruguay.

Due to expected high temperatures and increased electricity demand, the Argentine government plans to implement scheduled power cuts primarily affecting industrial users. These measures are necessary due to a lack of recent investments in the energy sector, which has left the grid unable to handle sudden demand peaks.

Out of a total cumulative installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity in Argentina, only 30 MW comes from rooftop installations, which includes both residential and commercial systems. This represents less than 3% of the total installed capacity.¹⁷

As of 2023, only 1.5 MW of all distributed generation projects across the country referred to residential solar installations, hindering mainstream solar adoption.¹⁸

Argentina currently has 72 operational solar plants, among which 21 solar parks are located in the province of San Juan, which is recognized as the leading producer of photovoltaic energy in the country.¹⁹²⁰²¹

Several solar farms are in development:

• Hive San Luis Solar PV Park: A 300.20 MW project expected to enter commercial operation by 2026.
• Zonda Solar PV Park: A 300 MW project currently in a partially active stage.
• Cauchari Solar PV Park Expansion: A planned expansion of 200 MW.
• EPSE Tocota Solar PV Park: A planned 200 MW project.
• PS Ullum X Solar PV Park: A planned 100 MW project.

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There are approximately 25,711 off-grid solar installations in rural areas of Argentina, primarily implemented under the PERMER (Rural Electrification project in 2012).

Despite the country’s high solar potential, there is a low adoption rate of residential solar systems, with only about 30 MW installed capacity coming from rooftop systems. Main barriers to residential solar adoption in Argentina include outdated infrastructure, reliance on fossil fuel subsidies, economic instability (high inflation and currency fluctuations), lack of local manufacturing of PV products, administrative complexities of programs like RENOVAR.

There are over 1,167 self-generation projects have been completed nationwide, with a collective capacity of 21.2 MW, highlighting the shift towards decentralized energy solutions. These projects are connected to the grid via bi-directional meters, allowing households and businesses to both consume and feed excess energy back into the grid.²⁴

Additionally, cooperatives like the Armstrong Cooperative serve approximately 6,500 electricity meters, indicating a significant number of households and companies benefiting from solar energy across the country

• The average monthly salary in Argentina is approximately $200.²⁵
• Solar Photovoltaic Installer: the average monthly salary is approximately $27. ²⁶Economic Research Institute (2024, September 26). Solar Power Plant Technician SalarySolar Photovoltaic Technician: the average monthly salary is approximately $714.²⁷
• Solar Photovoltaic Engineer: the average monthly salary is approximately $1,411.²⁸

The current population of Argentina is 45,733,442.²⁹

In 2020, installed utility-scale solar photovoltaics in Argentina cost about 1,200 $/kW. Modules remained the most expensive component, at around 258 $/kW. The cost of inverters stood at 40.2 $/kW.³⁰

Estimate for Factory Rent³¹

Industrial and logistics rent prices in Buenos Aires are approximately $7.6 – $7.8 per square meter per month, depending on the location and specific characteristics of the property.

Industrial Electricity Rates ³

As of 2023, the average electricity price for businesses in Argentina is approximately $0.024 per kWh.

Water Costs ³²

As of April 2024, the water tariff in Argentina has seen a significant increase of 209% for users in the Buenos Aires area. The new rates vary based on income levels, ranging from approximately 0.175 $/m3 to 0.268 $/m3.

Salaries and Wages ²⁶³³²⁸

Salaries of workers in solar industry in Argentina varies a lot depending on the position, ranging from $27 and $1,411 monthly.

Rent for Office Space ³⁴

In 2023, the average monthly rent for office space in key commercial areas in Buenos Aires was $19.60/m2.

Insurance ³⁵

The average spending per capita on non-life insurance in Argentina is projected to be approximately $245 in 2024.

Energy Mix⁴

Argentina’s energy infrastructure is characterized by a diverse energy mix. At the moment fossil fuels account for approximately 59% of total generation while renewable sources (hydropower, wind, and solar), contribute about 37% combined.

The government aims to increase the share of renewables to 57% by 2030 as part of its energy transition plan.

Key Institutions¹³

Key institutions involved in Argentina’s energy sector include:

• Secretariat of Energy: Responsible for formulating and implementing energy policies.
• National Electricity Regulatory Agency (ENRE): Oversees the electricity market and regulates service providers.
• Argentine Renewable Energy Chamber (CADER): Promotes the development of renewable energy projects.
• Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial (INTI): Engages in research and development for energy technologies.

Infrastructure and Interconnections³⁶

Current interconnections with neighboring countries such as Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay facilitate electricity imports and exports, which are crucial for balancing supply and demand.

The government plans to expand this network by adding 5,000 kilometers of new transmission lines to support the integration of renewable energy sources.

Export / Import³⁷

Argentina has historically imported electricity from neighboring countries to meet domestic demand. In 2022, it imported around 9.5 billion kWh through interconnections.

However, with plans to enhance domestic production, particularly in natural gas through the Vaca Muerta shale formation, the country aims to reduce its reliance on imports while potentially increasing exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the future.

Policy Goal³⁸

The Argentine government has set ambitious targets for its energy sector under an official transition plan launched in mid-2023. Key goals include:

• Achieving 57% renewable energy generation by 2030.
• Reducing fossil fuel dependence from 60% to 35%.
• Increasing natural gas production to ensure energy independence.
• Promoting distributed generation systems to enhance local energy production capabilities.

³⁹⁴⁰

Renewable Energy Distributed Generation Law – This law allows residential users and businesses to generate their own energy from renewable sources, including solar panels. It encourages the injection of surplus clean energy back into the grid.

Fund for the Distributed Generation of Renewable Energies (FODIS) – Allocates funds for installing renewable energy systems, including loans, interest rate subsidies, and incentives for energy injection into the grid.

Law No. 25,019: This law provides benefits for solar and wind energy installations for a period of 15 years, including fiscal stability and remuneration for generated alternative energy.

Law No. 26,190: Enacted in 2006, it aims to promote investment in renewable energy generation and declares it of national interest. The law includes provisions for technological development and equipment manufacturing related to renewable sources.

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The initial funding for Fund for the Distributed Generation of Renewable Energies (FODIS) was set at $517,000 in 2017. The FODIS offers various financial mechanisms such as loans with subsidized interest rates and direct incentives for acquiring solar generation systems.

Genneia’s Solar Developments: The Argentine power company Genneia is investing $250 million in two solar projects in Mendoza, totaling 273 MW of capacity, expected to supply energy to over 160,000 homes and create approximately 1,200 jobs during construction.

YPF’s Parque Solar Zonda: the state-owned oil and gas utility firm, YPF is developing a 300 MW solar project.

Under the RenovAr Program, the country plans to add 10,000 MW of renewable power to the grid by 2025. To realize this target, 58 potential solar projects, with a combined capacity of 2,834 MW.

Net Metering: Under the net billing system established by Decree No. 986 in 2018, households can receive credits for the energy they feed back into the grid. This system allows users to offset their electricity bills with the energy generated by their solar panels.

Educational Programs: Government initiatives also include educational workshops to raise awareness about solar technology and its benefits among communities, encouraging participation in renewable energy projects.

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Current Solar Projects

Genneia’s Solar Initiatives – Genneia is investing $250 million to build 273 MW of solar capacity across two projects in Mendoza.

• 93 MW Project (located in Malargüe): featuring over 160,000 PV modules across 312 hectares, costing approximately $90 million.
• 180 MW Project (Parque Solar Anchoris): Situated in Luján de Cuyo, this project will include 360,000 solar panels on 395 hectares, with an investment of $160 million.

YPF Luz Projects

• El Quemado 1 Solar Park: YPF Luz plans to install a 200 MW solar park in Mendoza, featuring 330,000 bifacial solar panels. This project aims to supply energy for about 150,000 homes and is expected to begin operations by the first quarter of 2026, with an investment of $170 million.
• Zonda Solar Project: YPF Luz is also developing the 300 MW Parque Solar Zonda, which will be executed in phases and is part of a collaboration with the Provincial Energy Company of the State (EPSE) .

Additional Projects

In early 2024, Argentina connected three new solar farms adding a total of 47 MW, including:

• 20-MW 360 Energy La Rioja II
• 22-MW 360 Energy La Rioja III
• A smaller 4-MW Algarrobo project in San Juan province.

Projected Solar Initiatives

Argentina’s government aims to add significant renewable capacity under the RenovAr program, targeting an increase of up to 10,000 MW of renewable power by 2025. This includes various solar projects currently in planning stages.

The country has submitted proposals for numerous solar projects totaling over 2,800 MW, indicating strong investor interest and potential growth in the sector.

By 2050, it is estimated that distributed solar generation could cover up to 32% of Argentina’s household electricity demand. This would require substantial investments, around $70 billion, to install distributed energy systems across millions of buildings.

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Genneia S.A.

• Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Website: https://www.genneia.com.ar/en/home_en.php
• Details: Genneia is one of Argentina’s leading renewable energy companies, focusing on solar and wind energy. They are currently developing two major solar projects in Mendoza, totaling 273 MW, with a combined investment of $250 million.

YPF Luz

• Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Website: com
• Details: A subsidiary of the state-owned YPF, YPF Luz focuses on renewable energy generation. Their notable project includes the El Quemado 1 Solar Park, a 200 MW facility in Mendoza expected to supply energy to 150,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by about 250,000 tons per year.

Canadian Solar Inc.

• Headquarters: Ontario, Canada
• Website: com
• Details: A global leader in solar technology, Canadian Solar has a significant presence in Argentina. They supply solar modules and have participated in various projects aimed at expanding the country’s solar capacity.

360 Energy S.A.

• Headquarters: La Rioja, Argentina
• Website: com.ar
• Details: This company specializes in renewable energy solutions and has developed several solar projects, including the 20 MW La Rioja II and 22 MW La Rioja III.

Trina Solar Limited

• Headquarters: Changzhou, China
• Website:com
• Details: Trina Solar is a leading global provider of photovoltaic modules and smart energy solutions. They supply solar panels for various projects in Argentina and are involved in expanding local production capabilities.

Empresa Mendocina De Energías A.P.E.M.

• Headquarters: Mendoza, Argentina
• Website: https://emesa.com.ar/
• Details: This local company focuses on renewable energy production in Mendoza and has been involved in various solar initiatives to promote sustainable energy within the region.

JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

• Headquarters: Shanghai, China
• Website:com
• Details: JinkoSolar is one of the largest solar panel manufacturers globally and has supplied panels for numerous projects across Argentina, contributing to the country’s renewable energy goals.

Enel Green Power Argentina

• Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Website:com
• Details: Part of the Enel Group, this company develops and manages renewable energy plants across Latin America. In Argentina, they are involved in multiple solar projects aimed at diversifying the energy mix.

Edesur S.A.

• Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Website: com.ar
• Details: Edesur primarily operates as an electricity distribution company but is increasingly investing in renewable energy sources, including solar projects.