Latin America Let’s the sunshine in

Most organizations around the world want answers for reducing their energy costs and consumption without impacting operations. They also want to reduce their environmental impact. Providing the means in real-time, to empower organizations to align their energy consumption. But such change must be lead from the source – energy providers.

Latin America has set itself some tough targets, but which is the right solution? Officials have been experimenting with solar solutions, smart grids, tidal and wind power, but the latest polls – and market developments – have shown solar is the choice for the wise in the region.

Solar power has been backed by leading executives at the Next Generation Utility Latin America (NGU NA) committee, who will be meeting to hear from Scarlett Alvarez – VP of Corporate Affairs & Investor Relations Latin America & Africa, AES on the future of solar and its integration into the grid.

As the level of distributed solar increases there will be a need for photovoltaic (PV) systems to provide their host utility with much greater awareness, control and grid support functions than what is being implemented today. Latin America Utilities also need to explore business models that incorporate solar in a way that adds value for shareholders, stakeholders, and society at large.

“We expect 2010 to be a breakout year for the LA solar industry,” says the NGU LA committee, “The right policies and industry innovation continues to drive solar growth across the Americas. Now we’re talking gigawatts of solar, not megawatts.”

The best strategies and how to implement them are sure to create much debate, and with energy giants clashing at the latest NGU LA summit, we wait expectedly for the results.