Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy says it has established a state-owned solar panel manufacturer with support from the Swedish government to deliver domestic sustainable programs and strengthen local production.
Colombian Minister of Mines and Energy Edwin Palma has announced the creation of the country’s first national company dedicated to the production of solar panels, with technical and financial cooperation from the Swedish government.
The ministry said the company will be based in Colombia and will aim to meet domestic demand for PV modules used in electrification and rooftop solar programs. The initiative is part of the government’s strategy to expand the local solar supply chain and reduce dependence on imports.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy also said the government will finance up to 90% of the installation costs of solar energy systems for small businesses such as convenience stores and bakeries.
In previous phases, the stimulus covered 60% of costs or up to 20 million COP ($5,400) for low-income households. The program has already been implemented in the Caribbean, where nearly 80 companies have installed solar systems with partial subsidies. The government now plans to expand the scheme nationwide.
Eligible businesses must belong to the informal economy, keep utility bills up to date and meet basic electrical and technical standards.
The Non-Conventional Energy and Efficient Energy Management Fund (FENOGE) finances the program and works with financial institutions to cover remaining costs when subsidies are not sufficient for full system coverage.
Once expanded, the initiative aims to support hundreds of small businesses across multiple regions by installing rooftop solar systems on stores, bakeries, restaurants and other local businesses.
In October, the government announced an investment of $1.84 billion to provide solar energy to 1.3 million households under the Colombia Solar Program, which allocates funds between 2026 and 2030 to provide photovoltaic systems to lower-income families and to phase out traditional electricity subsidies.
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