Trina Solar is forecasting a new cycle of growth for Colombia’s photovoltaic market beginning in 2027. With auctions expected in 2026, the company considers that year to be a transitional phase—technically and commercially—paving the way for project execution in the following year.
Its strategy is clear: secure at least a 15% share of the market, with ambitions of reaching 20% depending on final project volumes.
In an exclusive interview during the Future Energy Summit (FES) Colombia, Andrés Iriarte, Utility Scale Director at Trina Solar, shared his perspective on the sector and the role the company aims to play in the coming years.
In his view, market activity will rise significantly after a period of groundwork. “We expect an explosion in 2027,” he stated, anticipating the volume of projects set to materialise during that period.
Trina Solar is already involved in a significant share of Colombia’s ongoing solar projects, providing high-efficiency modules, fixed structures or trackers, and proprietary storage solutions. This integrated offer is part of a broader approach: rather than simply supplying technology, the company seeks to optimise project design to maximise long-term performance.
“A good product is not enough—developers today want a technology partner who understands the project from engineering through to operations,” Iriarte explained.
Trina’s presence in Colombia is not recent. Even before the first distribution projects were finalised, the company had already deployed a local commercial and technical team.
This forward-looking strategy, which it has also applied in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and Central America, is rooted in identifying when a market begins to show strategic potential.
The executive pointed out that Colombia faces unique regulatory and financial challenges compared to other countries in the region, which have delayed the bankability of some large-scale projects.
Nonetheless, Trina is committed to maintaining its presence and growing as the project pipeline begins to move.
Leading to the 2027 boom
According to the company, 2026 will be a year of technical preparation, where electrical design, component selection, and storage configurations will be key to ensuring successful project execution.
“That year will demand detailed engineering and, most of all, closeness with the client to tailor every solution to the realities of the site, the climate, and the financial model,” Iriarte said.
While the primary focus will be on utility-scale projects, Trina is also active in the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment with technologies adapted to specific needs.
Although some developments may begin construction in 2026, Trina expects the bulk of execution to occur in 2027.
In parallel, the company continues advancing in other markets—such as Mexico—where utility-scale activity is currently on hold, thanks to its strong position in distributed generation.
Colombia is now seen as a strategic market for the company in Latin America, with over 500 MW expected to be installed by the end of 2025 and new auctions on the horizon.
Trina is already working closely with developers in early-stage design and pre-sale phases, positioning its integrated solutions as a competitive advantage for the upcoming cycle.
“If projects are well-designed from the start—with sound technical criteria and a long-term vision—the Colombian market’s learning curve will accelerate much faster than people expect,” he concluded.
