Due To Its Very High Initial Investment, Wind Energy Is Losing Ground to Solar and Will Be Surpassed

Wind Energy Requires Much Greater Investment Than Solar Energy, In Addition to Noise Pollution Generated in the Environment. These and Several Other Factors Will Cause It to Start Losing Market Space to Photovoltaic Panels. 

Brazil is one of the largest references when it comes to 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 cost of the initial manufacturing of wind energy towers, they are losing space to solar energy. 

Currently, agribusiness has been one of the sectors that stand out the most regarding the use of solar energy. Data shared by Neosolar shows that more than 29,000 systems were installed in the field last year. Currently, agribusiness is responsible for just over one-fifth of the entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP), directly impacting several areas of the economy. 

According to NeoSolar consultant Alex Zuboski, solar energy is being used by the sector for numerous purposes, from refrigeration, which helps preserve food, to the nurseries and greenhouses for animals. 

Engineers Are Positive About Energy Transition and the Use of Solar Energy in Brazil 

Prof. Carlos Cerqueira, a professor of Production Engineering at ESEG – College of the Etapa Group, states: “In the composition of the Brazilian electricity matrix, renewable sources stand out greatly. 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. The reduction in costs, increased efficiency, and tax incentives explain this growth. 

Overall, wind energy requires a much higher initial investment, necessitating the installation of large wind turbines in areas with good wind incidence, such as coastal regions. On the other hand, solar panels are smaller (and consequently 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, bringing energy generation closer to the consumption region.

 Furthermore, there is a rush to install solar panels to take advantage of tax exemptions nearing expiration, causing solar generation to grow significantly in the last year, with the trend of becoming the second source of electric energy in the country, surpassing wind generation.

It is important to remember that a more diversified electricity matrix increases the country’s energy security, avoiding risks of shortages. Thus, the increase in the production of wind and solar energy reduces the risk of power outages in the event of prolonged droughts, lowering the need for activating thermoelectric plants, which are more polluting and expensive.”

Brazil Has Incentives for Those Installing Photovoltaic Panels by the End of This Year

The Law 14300 provides that Brazilians who install photovoltaic panels for solar energy production by the end of 2022 will be entitled to exemption from ICMS taxes on what is produced for the coming years. This decision has led to a repeated increase in searches for installations and companies in the field.