Colombia surpasses 24,000 rooftop solar installations as distributed generation hits record expansion

Colombia reached 24,447 registered rooftop solar systems under self-generation and distributed generation frameworks as of May 2026, according to data from the Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME). More than 15,000 of these systems were installed between 2024 and 2025, representing the largest two-year expansion in the country’s history. In 2025 alone, 9,360 new installations were registered, marking the highest annual growth on record. The figures reflect a structural shift in Colombia’s energy consumption model, with residential, commercial, and industrial users increasingly generating their own electricity through photovoltaic systems.

The expansion is supported by the Colombia Solar program, formalized through Resolution 40159 of 2026. The program provides incentives covering up to 60% of project costs or a maximum of 20 million Colombian pesos for households in socioeconomic strata 1, 2, and 3, as well as small businesses. Energy Minister Edwin Palma Egea stated the initiative aims to reduce electricity bills for families and strengthen the popular economy through clean energy access. UPME Director Indira Portocarrero emphasized that the growth in rooftop solar reflects a decentralized energy model where users actively participate in the country’s Just Energy Transition.

Colombia’s renewable capacity now exceeds 4 gigawatts from solar, wind, and small hydro combined, representing 17.09% of the national energy matrix. Solar accounts for more than 80% of this clean capacity, with 3,987.77 megawatts installed. Hydropower maintains the largest share at 56.22%, while thermal generation accounts for 26.5%. In 2025, solar generation surpassed coal for the first time, reaching 4,473 gigawatt-hours compared to 3,564 gigawatt-hours from coal. This milestone underscores the rapid displacement of fossil fuels in Colombia’s electricity mix.

The country now ranks fourth in South America for renewable energy participation, with 71.2% of its capacity sourced from hydro, solar, and wind. Paraguay leads the region with 99.7% renewable capacity, followed by Brazil at 87.2% and Uruguay at 78.8%. Colombia’s position reflects both its historical reliance on hydropower and the recent surge in solar deployment. The government has avoided approximately 7 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions during the current administration, equivalent to removing 1.6 million gasoline vehicles from circulation for one year. Infrastructure investments are also advancing to support renewable energy transmission from the Caribbean region to the rest of the country.