Wind energy has a much greater need for investment than solar energy, in addition to the noise pollution caused in the environment. These and several other factors will cause it to start losing space in the market for photovoltaic panels.
Brazil is one of the biggest references when it comes to a sustainable energy matrix: it is estimated that at least 45% of all sources are renewable, and this percentage will increase as new investments are made by private companies. However, due to the high value for the initial manufacture of wind energy towers, they are losing ground to solar energy.
Currently, agribusiness has been one of the sectors that most stand out in relation to the use of solar energy. Data shared by Neosolar show that over 29 systems were installed in the field last year. Currently, agribusiness is responsible for just over a fifth of the entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP), directly interfering in various areas of the economy.
According to NeoSolar's consultant, Alex Zuboski, solar energy has been used by the sector for numerous purposes, from refrigeration, which allows food to be preserved, or for animal nurseries and greenhouses.
- Biomethane: The Key to Decarbonization and Sustainable Supply
- BNDES approves R$600 million to expand the largest solar energy complex in Latin America in Minas Gerais, with the capacity to generate 1,6 GWp and supply 1,9 million homes!
- The US Army is testing a solar-powered drone that can fly for months in the stratosphere, equipped with impressive offensive capabilities
- Mastery of Solar Photovoltaic Energy: The Sustainable Revolution and the Impact of Offsetting in Brazil
Engineers are positive about the energy transition and the use of solar energy in Brazil
Prof. Carlos Cerqueira, Professor of Production Engineering at ESEG - Faculty of the Stage GroupSays: “In the composition of the Brazilian electricity matrix, renewable sources have great prominence. Hydroelectric generation has historically been the most used, corresponding to more than half of the energy generated in the country. In recent years, two other renewable sources have grown significantly: solar energy and wind energy. Cost reductions, increased efficiency and tax incentives explain this growth.
In general, wind energy requires a much higher initial investment, requiring the installation of large wind turbines in regions with good wind incidence, such as the coast. On the other hand, solar panels are smaller (and therefore cheaper) and can be purchased to meet smaller demands, favoring decentralized generation.
Thus, users can acquire solar generators (residential, commercial or industrial) whose produced energy is combined with the public grid. Decentralization is important, as it reduces transmission costs by bringing energy generation closer to the region of consumption.
Added to this, there is a rush to install solar panels in order to take advantage of tax exemptions that are about to expire, so that solar generation has grown significantly in the last year, with a tendency to become the second source of electricity in the country, surpassing wind generation.
It is important to remember that a more diversified electrical matrix increases the country's energy security, avoiding risks of shortages. In this way, the increase in wind and solar energy production reduces the risk of power outages in the event of prolonged droughts with a reduction in the levels of hydroelectric reservoirs, also reducing the need to activate thermoelectric plants, which are more polluting and expensive.”
Brazil has incentives for those who install photovoltaic panels by the end of this year
A law 14300 predicts that Brazilians who install photovoltaic panels for the production of solar energy by the end of 2022 will be entitled to exemption from paying ICMS taxes on what is produced in the coming years. This decision led to a repeating increase in searches for facilities and businesses in the area.