Heat and Dust: The Solar Energy Challenge in Chile

Chile offers unique conditions for the development of solar energy solutions. The new government is drawing up an ambitious road map for the development of solar energy. Some visions include the positioning of Chile as a regional solar energy exporter. This article examines this trend, based on the development of the power sector, the power market, analysis models, innovation opportunities, and the public policies implemented over the past ten years. It provides an overview of the solar energy scenario for Latin America and examines the technical challenges faced by the various solar technologies, and it discusses transmission systems and storage solutions. The issues of citizen empowerment, community engagement, and sustainable development in the context of solar energy development in the region are discussed along with the need for development of the human capital required to address alternative solar energy challenges from a technical and social standpoint.