Project that will donate a solar panel kit to houses in Baixada Fluminense, promises to bring clean and sustainable energy, in addition to giving users more control over the cost of the energy they use

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

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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” (photovoltaic)

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

In all, 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 energy. 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 idealized the project and created the contest.  

Technological part of the pilot is led by UK HVDC Technologies

The technology portion of the pilot is led by HVDC Technologies UK, an innovative power systems services company based in Stafford, and Entrust Smart Home Microgrid Ltd. They will bring solar power, storage, smart meters and household appliances to Pilar.

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

In addition to British government support, 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. In all, 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 of using efficient energy for communities”, says Raimundo Santa Rosa, manager of community relations and efficiency at Light.   

Project that donates a solar panel kit will bring clean and sustainable energy, in addition to giving users more control over the cost of the energy they use

The pilot will bring clean, 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 will be replicable and will ensure the benefits of renewable energy.

The pilot was conceived by the British government's Brazil Energy Program (BEP), which maintains projects to reduce poverty in partner countries through inclusive economic growth. The BEP brings together UK support 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 way.

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 experience.

“This collaboration project is an important milestone for HVDC Technologies, allowing it to create a model to be replicated in other regions of Brazil and thus contribute to the use of technology aimed at improving the quality of life of the population with a positive impact on the environment”, he adds. André Canelhas, Managing Director from HVDC Technologies. HVDC will provide integration engineering in addition to PV modules, smart meters and batteries.

Energy Program for Brazil, part of the UK-Brazil Cooperation Programme, aims to support Brazil in the transition to a low-carbon economy

About BEP – The Energy for Brazil Programme, part of the UK-Brazil Cooperation Programme, aims to support Brazil in the transition to a low-carbon economy, offering affordable 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 waste energy potential (WTE), biofuels, offshore wind and low-carbon hydrogen. The BEP is implemented by a consortium comprising Adam Smith International, Carbon Limiting Technologies, hubz, Instituto 17 and FGV.

About UK-Brazil Cooperation Program – The UK-Brazil Cooperation Program is a British 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.