Photovoltaics Integration in Chile

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are technologies that emerged to produce electricity through the use of solar energy. The first applications were in those areas where the cost was competitive compared to investments for grid connection. In Europe, the use of the technology has been encouraged in BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic), to diminish the CO2 emissions in the atmosphere, encouraged by the Kyoto Protocol (1997). The aim of this work is to analyze the application level of PV in Chile. Chile is still in early stages of PV history, for the approaches done, have concentrated only on rural areas with the creation of PER (Rural Electrification Programme). Although Photovoltaic Technology has an important role to play in the government goals, for achieving rural electrification targets, there are no initiatives to encourage the installation in grid-connected BIPV projects, due to cost, loads of conventional sources, lack of laws that include co-generation and absence of Energy Policy Programmes to support integration in urban environments. This paper gives a general view of the PV application in the country, including assessments and recommendations to remove barriers from a macro to a micro scale, in order to trigger the inclusion of PVs in the urban scenario.