With 15% of the national energy matrix, photovoltaic solar energy in Brazil is essential in promoting the use of clean energy.
Photovoltaic Solar Energy in Brazil
With 15% of the national energy matrix, photovoltaic solar energy in Brazil is essential in promoting the use of clean energy.
Electric History of Brazil
To address the topic of photovoltaic solar energy in Brazil, it is pertinent to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the electricity situation in the country. The advent of electricity in the national territory had a historic milestone with the construction of the Ribeirão do Inferno Hydroelectric Plant in 1883, designed to meet the demands of mining in Diamantina, Minas Gerais.
Until the 1930s, energy generation mainly occurred in locations close to consumption centers. From the 1940s onwards, we witnessed the growth of large generating plants driven by technological advancement, resulting in significant cost reductions.
Eletrobras was founded in 1961, playing a crucial role in the process of nationalization and state control of the Brazilian electrical sector. The period between 1970 and 1980 was marked by a significant increase in energy consumption, coinciding with the expansion of the national generating park through the construction of the Tucuruí and Itaipu Hydroelectric Plants.
In 1998, the National Interconnected System (SIN) was established, integrating the generation and transmission of electricity across virtually the entire national territory. This system covers approximately 99% of the country's energy consumption, representing an important milestone in the organization and efficiency of electricity supply.
About Photovoltaic Panels
The conception of photovoltaic panels resulted from a series of research conducted by various scientists over the decades. Although there is debate about the exact date of creation of this technology and the precise inventor, the credit for its emergence is often attributed to the French scientist Edmond Becquerel.
In 1839, at just 19 years old, Alexandre Edmond Becquerel developed and studied the first photovoltaic cell in history. This cell essentially consisted of the union of two electrodes immersed in an acidic solution and exposed to light. The device generated electricity, and after extensive analysis, Alexandre concluded that the phenomenon was related to the incidence of light on the cell. In a simplified manner, the electric voltage arose in the semiconductor material due to the release of electrons from its surface when exposed to photon radiation from light.
Over the years, new discoveries have been made in this sector. However, it was only in 1954 that three scientists, Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson, produced the first silicon solar cell in the Bell laboratory. The efficiency of this device was only 4%, a significantly lower value compared to current standards.
Brazil and its Photovoltaic Solar Energy Production
In August 2011, the first solar plant in Brazil was inaugurated, located in the municipality of Tauá, in the hinterland of Ceará. Located 340 km from Fortaleza, it covers an area of 12,000 square meters, with 4680 photovoltaic panels and an initial generation capacity of 1 megawatt. This plant managed to supply energy to more than a thousand families, representing a significant milestone for the time.
In 2012, the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) published Regulatory Resolution No. 482, which authorized energy generation by consumers, facilitating production by micro-generators with solar panels on the roofs of residences. This resolution also made it possible to implement energy credit systems, establishing criteria for the connection of these systems to the grid. In parallel, the government implemented other measures to promote renewable energies.
Since that period, the use of photovoltaic solar energy has experienced significant growth. In 2023, a study released by the Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association (Absolar) revealed that Brazil surpassed 32 gigawatts (GW) in installed capacity from solar sources, including plants and self-generation systems. This value represents approximately 15% of the installed capacity in the country's electricity matrix.
Currently, Brazil has approximately 10.75 GW of installed capacity in large-scale solar plants. Since 2012, these plants have contributed around R$ 42.2 billion in new investments, generating more than 288,000 jobs and providing revenues exceeding R$ 15.2 billion to public coffers.