Light Partners with Consortium of Organizations from the United Kingdom to Bring Clean Energy Project and Donates Solar Panel Kits to Homes in Baixada Fluminense, RJ

Project That Will Donate Solar Panel Kits to Homes in Baixada Fluminense Promises to Bring Clean and Sustainable Energy, While Giving Users More Control Over Their Energy Costs

Light, one of the largest energy companies in Brazil, and a consortium of organizations from the UK and Brazil won an international competition held by the UK government’s Energy Program for Brazil (BEP) to provide innovative clean energy technologies and test business models in low-income communities as part of Brazil’s efforts for an energy transition and a low-carbon economy. The entities officially launch the pilot project, Solar Pilar, this week, and will donate solar panel kits to residents.

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The Solar Pilar will test innovative technologies that help low-income families reduce their energy bills. The project will be implemented in the neighborhood of the same name: Pilar, in Baixada Fluminense.

Homes in Baixada Fluminense (RJ) Will Receive a Solar Panel Kit (Photovoltaics)

A group of 30 residences will receive a kit with six photovoltaic panels, a battery, a smart meter, and a device for monitoring electricity consumption. Approximately 300 photovoltaic panels will also be installed at the Frei Caneca substation, providing power to another group of residences through distributed generation.

In total, 240 families will participate in a long-term experiment, in the form of an “open-air laboratory,” with state-of-the-art equipment, testing inclusive business models. The pilot will have broad community involvement, with a special focus on women and other vulnerable groups.

“We are pleased to announce the launch of this pilot that will demonstrate how technologies can support the global transition to renewable energies. Innovations in smart systems are a crucial tool in reducing emissions and it’s great to see the benefits felt by low-income consumers in Brazil,” says Clarissa Vargas, director of BEP, the program that conceived the project and created the competition.

The Technological Part of the Pilot Is Led by HVDC Technologies from the UK

The technological part of the pilot is led by HVDC Technologies from the UK, an innovative energy systems service company based in Stafford, and Entrust Smart Home Microgrid Ltd. They will bring solar energy, storage, smart meters, and home appliances to Pilar.

The promotion of sustainable energy in Brazil benefits both the country and the UK. It will provide long-term business opportunities for British companies and financial savings for low-income families in Rio de Janeiro.

In addition to support from the UK government, the Research and Development (R&D) aspect of the pilot will receive funding from Light to test a range of different ‘time-of-use’ energy tariffs that the technology will enable. Overall, the pilot will have an investment of R$ 6 million.

“This exchange will enable consumption alternatives, providing clean and quality energy. This experience becomes important for sustainable development, serving as a real possibility for the use of efficient energy in communities,” says Raimundo Santa Rosa, community relations and efficiency manager at Light.

Project That Donates Solar Panel Kits Will Bring Clean and Sustainable Energy, While Giving Users More Control Over Their Energy Costs

The pilot will bring clean and sustainable energy to Pilar and give users more control over the cost of the energy they use. It will test the use of an innovative, low-carbon smart energy system for homes. The solution could be replicable and will ensure the benefits of renewable energy.

The pilot was conceived by the Energy Program for Brazil (BEP), from the UK government, which maintains projects to reduce poverty in partner countries through inclusive economic growth. BEP combines support from the UK and international expertise to leverage Brazil as a renewable energy powerhouse. Through this pilot, it will demonstrate the innovative use of clean technologies in an economically inclusive manner.

HVDC Technologies will work with Entrust Smart Home Microgrid Ltd. (Entrust Microgrid) to provide the innovative technology and hardware for the project, along with project development expertise.

“This collaborative project is an important milestone for HVDC Technologies, allowing us to create a model that can be replicated in other regions of Brazil and thus contribute to the employment of the technology aiming to improve the quality of life of the population with a positive impact on the environment,” adds André Canelhas, Managing Director of HVDC Technologies. HVDC will provide integration engineering, as well as photovoltaic modules, smart meters, and batteries.

Energy Program for Brazil, Part of the UK-Brazil Cooperation Program, Aims to Support Brazil in the Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy

About BEP – The Energy Program for Brazil, part of the UK-Brazil Cooperation Program, aims to support Brazil in the transition to a low-carbon economy, which provides accessible and clean energy to drive inclusive economic development, reduce poverty, and improve gender equity and social inclusion, with a special focus on solar generation, harnessing the energy potential of waste (WTE in English), biofuels, offshore wind, and low-carbon hydrogen. BEP is implemented by a consortium made up of Adam Smith International, Carbon Limiting Technologies, hubz, Instituto 17, and FGV.

About the UK-Brazil Cooperation Program – The UK-Brazil Cooperation Program is a UK government program that supports economic development in partner countries. The program aims to support Brazil’s economic modernization through increased productivity, which will facilitate sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.