During a participatory event, SERC Chile met with families benefiting from the Casa Solar program in the municipality of Tocopilla, with the goal of addressing technical questions, gathering feedback, and strengthening the community’s understanding of photovoltaic energy, as part of an effort to consolidate a just energy transition in the region.

The Antofagasta region, with an average annual solar radiation of more than 5,500 kWh/m², is one of the most favorable regions in the world for solar power generation. In this context, Chile has reached more than 10,680 MW of installed photovoltaic capacity, establishing itself as a leader in the adoption of renewable energy in Latin America. This growth has been driven by exceptional natural conditions, and the country continues to make progress in its energy transition.

It was in this context that researchers from the Solar Energy Research Center (SERC Chile) gave an informational presentation to beneficiaries of the Casa Solar program in Tocopilla, with the aim of learning about their experiences with the photovoltaic systems installed in their homes and addressing questions about how they work. The event, which combined opportunities for listening and technical education, was led by researchers Douglas Olivares and Mauricio Trigo, along with the director of SERC Chile, Rodrigo Palma, and included the presence and participation of the Antofagasta Regional Minister for Energy, Dafne Pino Riffo. During the event, residents had the opportunity to ask questions about the use, maintenance, and performance of residential solar systems.

Meanwhile, Rodrigo Palma, director of SERC Chile, highlighted the importance of transferring technical knowledge from academia to communities. “As an organization, we work to ensure that information about photovoltaic systems reaches—in a clear manner—those who are actually experiencing the energy transition in their homes, making it easier to understand by using accessible language. This is an essential part of a just energy transition,” he said.

During the meeting, the academics took the opportunity to provide technical guidance on how to maximize the use of the equipment and discussed key aspects of distributed generation and energy efficiency.

Director of SERC Chile, Rodrigo Palma

This program has begun to serve as a model for other regions of the country. It is projected that more than 1,500 homes in the municipalities of Tocopilla, Mejillones, Taltal, and Sierra Gorda will be equipped with solar panels by 2026. This progress is just one part of the regional effort to increase the share of renewable energy in Chile’s energy mix.

The event provided an opportunity to gather key insights regarding access to, understanding of, and the sustainability of the energy solutions that have been implemented, and highlighted the need to continue making progress in educating and supporting communities as they undergo their energy transition.