Chilean Solar Energy Association (ACESOL) has taken a step towards deeper collaboration with the national government, agreeing on a joint agenda to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and modernise the power system.
The solar industry association met with Energy Minister Ximena Rincón to establish a coordinated roadmap aimed at strengthening the country"s energy sector.
The meeting brought together ACESOL President Bárbara Barbieri, Executive Director Darío Morales and other board members.
ACESOL represents around 180 companies across the solar value chain, including developers, technology providers and service firms.
During the meeting, the association presented a comprehensive overview of the sector, highlighting both its rapid growth and the structural challenges that still limit its expansion.
A central issue raised was the urgent need for reform of Chile"s electricity distribution system.
According to the association, the current regulatory framework does not reflect the requirements of a modern, decentralised grid, constraining the integration of renewable energy, energy storage and smart grid solutions.
ACESOL stressed that updating distribution regulations is essential to unlock further investment in solar PV and improve grid integration.
Without these changes, the system risks inefficiencies, higher costs and limited resilience.
Distributed generation was also highlighted as a key pillar for a more flexible and resilient electricity system.
The association underlined its potential to reduce energy costs for consumers, diversify supply and encourage participation from new market players.
In this context, ACESOL proposed measures to promote self-consumption schemes, strengthen net billing mechanisms and streamline permitting processes particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
These actions, it argued, would accelerate the uptake of distributed energy resources and support economic recovery.
The meeting also addressed the role of solar thermal technologies in decarbonising industrial processes.
ACESOL noted that solar heat applications can significantly improve energy efficiency across sectors such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing, contributing to Chile"s broader climate goals.
"Solar energy is not only key to advancing the energy transition, but also to improving quality of life, lowering electricity costs and stimulating economic growth," said ACESOL President Bárbara Barbieri.
"Chile has a unique opportunity to harness this potential and consolidate its position as a leader in clean energy.
Executive Director Darío Morales emphasised that while solar technologies are already mature and cost-competitive, regulatory modernisation remains critical.
"We need to update the distribution framework and incorporate tools such as smart grids, energy storage and stronger support for distributed generation to build a more efficient and secure system aligned with today"s needs," he said.
ACESOL welcomed the government"s willingness to engage in a collaborative process and noted that the meeting represents an important step towards a shared roadmap to accelerate renewable energy deployment in Chile.