Jalisco Surpasses Nuevo León and Chihuahua in Interconnection Contracts
Guadalajara, Jalisco. With over 90,000 interconnection contracts representing 15% of the national total, Jalisco stands as the leader in Mexico for distributed energy generation. This is according to Manuel Herrera Vega, the head of the Secretaría de Desarrollo Energético Sustentable (SEDES).
“This places us at the forefront of the national energy transition, as much of this has to do with our solid ecosystem, a deeply rooted sustainable culture among Jaliscienses, and a legal framework that promotes distributed energy generation schemes,” explained the state official.
Data from CRE Highlights Jalisco’s Leadership
Based on figures from the Comisión Reguladora de Energía (CRE), Herrera Vega specified that Jalisco’s 90,876 interconnection contracts represent 658.8 Megawatts (MW), indicating a high degree of technological adoption and a consolidated business ecosystem centered around solar photovoltaic energy.
He further stated that Jalisco not only leads nationally but has a “very significant” margin over Nuevo León and Chihuahua, which hold second and third place with 59,779 and 42,244 interconnection contracts, respectively.
By 2030, the projection is to generate over 1,100 MW solely through distributed generation, a figure that implies investments exceeding $1 billion (mdd).
Solar Energy and Thriving Business Ecosystem
With an average daily solar radiation of 5.6 kilowatt-hours per square meter (kWh/m2), Jalisco ranks among the locations with the highest solar capture globally. The solar radiation received by 2.2% of the state’s territory could potentially generate electricity for Mexico’s entire consumption, according to the Energy Secretary.
He pointed out that medium-sized industries have the highest percentage in solar generation and utilization, followed by large industrial companies and residential sectors.
“Jalisco is one of the country’s leading agricultural producers; municipalities like Tepatitlán, San Juan de los Lagos, and Lagos de Moreno concentrate energy-intensive activities: farms, packing plants, agroindustries, and irrigation systems. Many of these units have migrated to solar autogeneration schemes not only for savings but also for environmental responsibility and energy resilience against blackouts or tariff variability,” emphasized Herrera.
SEDES reported that the solar energy business ecosystem comprises 1,200 companies, including installers, equipment distributors, structure and electrical component manufacturers, maintenance specialists, software and monitoring companies, as well as integrated solutions providers with storage.
Return on Investment
Mauro Garza, the coordinator general of Strategic Growth and Economic Development, clarified that the current efficiency of solar panels allows for a quick return on investment.
“The return on investment can be within two to four years, and the lifespan of the panels can reach 15 to 20 years,” Garza Marín highlighted.
First Solar Panel Recycling Plant in Mexico
Herrera Vega, the head of the Secretary of Energy, anticipated that Jalisco will also have Mexico’s first solar panel recycling plant for the final disposal of this technology once its useful life ends.
He mentioned that the non-profit organization Rafiqui will install the recycling plant at the Acatlán Logistics Center, where other companies will also be located to purchase the glass and aluminum from the decommissioned solar panels.
Key Questions and Answers
- What makes Jalisco a leader in distributed energy generation? Jalisco holds more than 90,000 interconnection contracts, representing 15% of the national total. This leadership is attributed to a solid ecosystem, a sustainable culture among residents, and supportive legal frameworks.
- How many interconnection contracts does Jalisco have compared to other states? Jalisco has 90,876 interconnection contracts, surpassing Nuevo León with 59,779 and Chihuahua with 42,244.
- What is the projected distributed energy generation in Jalisco by 2030? The goal is to generate over 1,100 MW through distributed energy generation, implying investments exceeding $1 billion.
- Which sectors contribute the most to solar energy generation in Jalisco? Medium-sized industries have the highest percentage in solar generation and utilization, followed by large industrial companies and residential sectors.
- What is the return on investment for solar panel installations in Jalisco? The current efficiency of solar panels allows for a quick return on investment, typically within two to four years.
- Will there be a solar panel recycling plant in Jalisco? Yes, the non-profit organization Rafiqui will install Mexico’s first solar panel recycling plant at the Acatlán Logistics Center.
