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This paper examines the remarkable growth of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy technology in Brazil, which stands out among the leading countries in photovoltaic installations. The recent implementation of Law 14300 on grid-connected PV systems has caused a stir in the Brazilian market, with investors anticipating installations to avoid reductions in benefits. This phenomenon, previously observed in Europe, instigates an understanding of the variables underlying the exponential growth of the Brazilian market. This study seeks to identify the predictors that explain the PV systems diffusion in Brazil, in two stages: a systematic review of the literature to map approaches and methods, followed by the construction of a database and the application of predictive models. The literature revealed 24 methods in six approaches, with 44 predictors. For Brazil, the database contains 90,129 instances, 22 predictors, and covers all 5570 municipalities. The results highlight the crucial importance of the electricity tariff as the main predictor, followed by irradiation and municipal Gross Domestic Product. Predictors such as the number of companies, minimum wage, HDI education, demographic density, and vehicle fleet prove to be relevant. In conclusion, the spatially explicit analysis highlights the complexity of the market, offering valuable implications for energy planners and stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 100-years-old model of centralized generation and one-way power flow is being disrupted by alternative energy technologies that enable customers to generate their own electricity. The massification of distributed generation (DG) started lately in Brazil, but it growth fast in capacity since then. The electric utilities have presented technical and economical challenges arising from the increased diffusion rate of DG. Due to lack of studies addressing performance metrics suitable for this scenario, this paper proposes a measurement system for determination of the overall performance index of electric utilities related to DG services. The methodology has been developed based on Delphi method and Balanced Scorecards to define 32 objectives. Analytic Hierarchy Process concepts was applied for weighing objectives perspectives and to derive an overall performance index. Overall performance indexes related to DG found from application of proposed model in all companies were lower then 50%. No one of the evaluated companies achieved a regular or satisfactory performance. This result confirmes that electric utilities companies are far from reaching expected satisfaction factors related to DG services. The introduced methodology can be used by the scientific community and policy-makers of any country to better inform to a new energy distribution and generation scenario. • A performance measurement system with multicriteria decision methods BSC-AHP. • A methodology that is easily replicable by researchers from other countries. • In Brazil, no electric utility is at an advanced organizational level index of DG. • Organizational management of the distributed generation in electric utilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]