Argentina is consolidating its position as a leading solar market in the region thanks to its technical maturity and improved financial conditions compared to previous years, having surpassed 7,900 MW of renewable energy capacity, of which more than 2,500 MW are photovoltaic. Argentina has matured very rapidly from a technical standpoint, and is now at the forefront of the industry in terms of technology.
While the financial and macroeconomic situation in the country was challenging due to payment issues and other complexities, it is now much more stable, acknowledged Miguel Covarrubias , Sales Director for Latin America at Jinko Solar . "The market is indeed mature, with technical expertise in services, which makes projects in the country quite viable both technically and economically," he affirmed during a prominent interview at the Future Energy Summit (FES) Argentina. This scenario is already reflected in the company's strategy, which supplied almost 30% of all operational solar panels in the Argentine Wholesale Electricity Market (MEM) and 36% of the installed photovoltaic capacity, according to official CAMMESA data. "Furthermore, the conditions are favorable in the country, and it is a priority market for us in Latin America, representing around 25% of our regional supply last year," Covarrubias noted. Watch the full interview with Jinko Solar at FES Argentina: https://youtu.be/GHccKrwFUJ8
The Weight of the Manufacturer, Technology, and New Market Challenges: In this context, the bankability of solar projects is increasingly linked to the profile of the technology provider. "It's key," stated Covarrubias, explaining that banks prioritize manufacturers with technical and financial backing. Meanwhile, technological evolution continues to push the boundaries of the industry. " Our core focus is on competing for technology and efficiency," he noted, referring to the new Tiger Neo 3.0 line, which allows for 660-670 Wp in modules that previously hovered around 620 Wp , without modifying their surface area. However, a segment of the market seeks even greater power, which introduces new challenges. " There's a 10-15% that still looks for larger modules," he explained, with panels reaching 730-735 Wp , although with greater logistical and installation demands. Despite these complexities, the local market has demonstrated adaptability. A concrete example is the El Quemado solar park, developed by YPF in Mendoza. The project, which will reach 305 MW of installed capacity , already has 200 MW in operation and includes more than 550,000 panels . "We expected more failures and breakages during installation, which didn't happen," Covarrubias pointed out, validating the performance of larger modules. Looking ahead, market growth will be driven by new opportunities in storage and regulation. Initiatives such as the AlmaSADI tender, which plans to add 700 MW of BESS systems , and the continuation of the Term Market, create an expansion scenario. However, there are still areas for improvement. " There are potential improvements related to transmission and batteries," the executive noted, concluding that these advances will allow for a slight expansion of renewable energy penetration, particularly solar thermal energy.
