CMS Expert Guide to Agrivoltaics and Floating Photovoltaics in Colombia

No, agrivoltaics are not specifically regulated in Colombia. However, since the enactment of Law 1715 in 2014, Colombia has promoted investments in non-conventional renewable energy sources, including solar power. Since then, the competent authorities have established a robust legal and regulatory framework for self-generation and energy communities, which, depending on the legal structure of the project, may apply to agrivoltaic projects. Additionally, general environmental regulations governing land and water use may also apply.

Currently, there are not any widely recognised large-scale agrivoltaic projects in operation in Colombia. However, some small-scale projects are under development: 

• Unergy has launched a solar mini farm in Gandalf Valley and Cañahuate located in San Diego, Cesar. This is the first experimental plot where solar panels coexist with 5,000 of melon plants, yielding 19 tons per hectare. The startup has a pipeline of 1,000 mini farms in areas with solar exposure levels exceeding 1,800 kWh/kWp, an inclination of less than 10 degrees, and generation capacity of 990 kW each. Each farm will be installed on a 2-hectare site and will feature 2,500 solar panels. 
• Solargreen announced the launch of the San Jorge solar project in the municipality of Montelíbano, department of Córdoba, aiming to develop a sustainable agrivoltaic system. The project is expected to begin operations in 2024, it will generate 180 MWp of energy and will be connected via a 110 kV transmission line. Approximately 268,650 solar panels will be installed, with an estimated annual energy production of 314 GWh.

The absence of focused regulations affects the development and investment in agrivoltaic projects in Colombia. However, the current renewable energy legal and regulatory framework allows investors to make informed investment decisions.

Colombia has significant potential for agrivoltaics due to its vast agricultural land and favourable solar conditions. However, authorities have not yet estimated agrivoltaics full potential. 

Nevertheless, we can highlight that Colombia has an estimated solar generation potential of 8,000 GW, capable of producing up to 40,366,080 TJ/year, with an average solar radiation of 4.5 kW/m2. 

Also, Colombia has 45 million hectares (“Mha”) of land suitable for agricultural activities, of which approximately 25 Mha are suitable for crop cultivation. However, only about 6 Mha, or a quarter of this land, is used for farming. Meanwhile, although only 16 Mha are classified as suitable for livestock, 25 Mha are currently used for this purpose. In addition to the underutilisation of land suitable for agriculture, Colombia’s geographic location and diverse climatic zones provide the country with significant agricultural potential.

As of now, there are no specific financial support programmes in Colombia dedicated exclusively to agrivoltaics.

No, FPV are not specifically regulated in Colombia. 

However, since the enactment of Law 1715 in 2014, Colombia has promoted investments in non-conventional renewable energy sources, including solar power. Since then, the competent authorities have established a robust legal and regulatory framework for self-generation and energy communities, which, depending on the legal structure of the project, may apply to FPV projects. Additionally, general environmental regulations governing land and water use may also apply.

Currently, there are not widely recognised large-scale Floating PVs projects in operation in Colombia. However, some small-scale projects are under development: 

• Aquasol is the largest FPV in Latin America. It was built in the reservoir of the URRÁ Hydroelectric Plant, features 3,248 photovoltaic modules, and has an annual generation of 2,400 MWh.
• Enexa and Parque Central zona Franca have announced the launch of Yurbaqua floating solar plant, a 2.8 MW facility in Turbaco, Bolívar. The installation will feature approximately 5,000 photovoltaic panels, covering 18,000 m² of an artificial water reservoir in the industrial zone, with an estimated annual generation capacity of 4.6 GWh.

The absence of focused regulations affects the development and investment in FPV projects in Colombia. However, the current renewable energy legal and regulatory framework allows investors to make informed investment decisions.

Colombia has significant potential for floating PV due to its favourable solar conditions. However, authorities have not yet estimated floating PVs full potential. 

Nevertheless, we can highlight that Colombia has an estimated solar generation potential of 8,000 GW, capable of producing up to 40,366,080 TJ/year, with an average solar radiation of 4.5 kW/m2. 

Also, Colombia has an estimated hydropower generation potential of 952,083 TJ/year, which 4,786 MW available for small hydro plants ranging from 10 and 20 MW in capacity. Additionally, Colombia has an installed hydropower capacity of 13,221 MW (63.4% of the total energy capacity), representing more than 34 hydro plants where floating PV projects could be developed.

Currently, there are no specific financial support programmes in Colombia dedicated exclusively to floating PV projects.