Background and Relevance of the Subject
Mexico’s photovoltaic solar energy generation has grown significantly, increasing 2.8 times from a 2% share in March 2019 to currently representing 6% of the nation’s total energy production. This progress has sparked enthusiasm for the current administration’s plans in the solar energy sector.
Historical Data and Trends
In March 2021, Mexico produced 1,665 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity using photovoltaic technology, marking a 5% annual increase in volume. This output accounted for 6% of the total energy generated, which was 27,929 MWh.
- In March 2020, the photovoltaic generation was 1,587 MWh, representing 5.8% of the total 27,303 MWh.
- In 2022, a total of 26,550 MWh was generated, with 1,576 MWh (5.9%) coming from photovoltaic sources.
- In 2021, 1,612 MWh (6.1%) of the total 26,527 MWh was generated through photovoltaics.
- In 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, 1,106 MWh (4.2%) was produced via photovoltaics out of a total 25,926 MWh.
- In March 2019, solar photovoltaic generation was only 578 MWh, accounting for 2.2% of the nation’s total generation of 25,407 MWh.
Private Sector Investment and Its Impact
Aidana Velázquez, the Institutional Relations Manager at Enlight—a company specializing in energy storage solutions and distributed generation—emphasizes the importance of private sector investment in large- and medium-scale photovoltaic projects.
“These investments not only modernize the nation’s electrical infrastructure but also play a strategic role in the energy transition by promoting distributed generation models and self-consumption, accelerating the integration of clean technologies.”
Velázquez also highlights the significance of microgrids in this context:
“These smart grids operate either connected or autonomously, facilitating the integration of renewable energies, enabling flexible demand management, and ensuring rapid responses to contingencies. They also strengthen system stability, especially in remote areas or high-demand zones, and contribute to energy self-sufficiency goals.”
Government Actions and Future Prospects
The six actions outlined in Plan México reinforce the sector’s commitment to energy transition and national system modernization. Among these actions, an estimated 6,400 megawatts of generation capacity will be allocated to private investment, with the majority expected to come from solar energy development.
