You're paying for solar energy subsidies and you don't even know it: a majority of Brazilians reject hidden costs on their electricity bills, research reveals.

Published 26/12/2025 às 11:32

Updated 26/12/2025 às 11:33

Research indicates that 75% of Brazilians are against subsidies for solar energy in their electricity bills, and that a large portion are unaware of the costs embedded in electricity tariffs.

Resistance to the current model of subsidies to solar energy It is gaining traction among Brazilians. According to a national survey commissioned by RAD EnergyThree out of four consumers consider it unfair to pay, in their electricity bill, costs related to incentives granted to distributed generation systems. The survey shows that 75% of respondents are against this tariff pass-through.

Furthermore, the study reveals a high degree of misinformation. Approximately 78% of participants stated they were unaware that part of the electricity tariff is used to subsidize owners of solar panels. This additional cost averages R$ 96 per consumer unit, an amount that ends up being diluted in monthly bills.

Lack of knowledge about the composition of the electricity bill.

Although the solar energy Although often associated with sustainability and long-term cost reduction, data indicates that many consumers are unaware of the financial impacts of this model. According to the research, 83% of Brazilians consider their electricity bill to be high, a perception that is repeated in all regions of the country.

“The results show that consumers are unaware of the components that increase their electricity bills,” says Reginaldo Medeiros, CEO of RAD Energia and advisor to CNI’s Coinfra. “It is also evident that citizens are against subsidies for solar panels in their electricity bills,” he adds.

Subsidies for solar energy weigh on electricity tariffs.

Data from the Subsidiômetro platform, run by the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel), reinforces the importance of this issue. According to the system, distributed generation alone accounts for about one-third of all subsidies in the country’s electricity bills. This year alone, the accumulated cost has already reached R$ 13 billion, representing the largest single subsidy embedded in the tariff paid by the end consumer.

Most respondents argue that all electricity users, including those with systems of solar energy…that they bear the costs of the sector equally. This view, according to experts, reflects a growing concern with tariff fairness.

Profile of respondents and scope of the study

The research was conducted by the Opinion Box institute and surveyed 400 people from the North, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, and South regions of the country. Among the participants, 90% stated that they regularly pay their electricity bill. Furthermore, 87% said they do not use solar panels, while 88% had heard of distributed generation.

According to Reginaldo Medeiros, the findings revealed by the survey should be considered in public decisions. He believes that authorities in the Executive and Legislative branches need to more carefully evaluate public perception regarding subsidies. solar energy, especially given the direct impact on the bills of millions of consumers.

RAD Energia participates in the debate on the electricity sector.

RAD Energia is a consulting firm specializing in intelligence for the Brazilian electricity market. The company focuses on the sector’s self-regulation and on increasing the participation of different stakeholders in discussions that influence the national energy system, including topics such as subsidies, tariffs, and expansion of… solar energy.