Paraná Government’s Solar Energy Program Reduces Production Costs in Rural Areas

How To Reduce Production Costs In Associations Supplying Acerola-Based Products, The Government Of The State Of Paraná, In Partnership With The Municipality, Will Implement A Photovoltaic Solar Energy System At The Association Headquarters

Just like in urban areas, the use of solar energy is also a way to reduce production costs in rural areas. The directors of Afruhco – Association of Fruit Growers and Horticulturists of Cruzeiro do Oeste – decided to install a photovoltaic solar energy system that will supply about four cold storage chambers. According to the Afruhco board, the investment of R$ 393,288 was subsidized by the Coopera Paraná Program.

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Changes In The Energy System With The Use Of Solar Energy Will Help Reduce Production Costs

According to the president of Afruhco, Pedro Marangoni, installing the photovoltaic solar energy system will significantly reduce costs. According to Marangoni, the project carried out by the Government Of The State Of Paraná is fully focused on the needs of small farmers’ associations, as a way to assist them in their overall maintenance.

In addition, the director of Afruhco highlighted that replacing electric energy with photovoltaic solar energy will add significant value to organic production and also to environmental aspects, something that will provide greater visibility to what is produced in the association.

The Afruhco board has been working hard to increase the number of members and also the planting area, so that it is possible to meet the high demand for fruits. Afruhco also aims to transform the association into a cooperative, since most members are family farmers who have already recorded productions of over 800 tons of acerola, across about 70 hectares.

Varieties Introduced In The Market To Better Meet Consumer Needs

Due to the reforms carried out in rural areas, the planting area in the fields has decreased, causing a reduction in production as well. The members of Afruhco then decided to introduce other varieties that are suitable and can better meet the consumer market, which has been seeking fruits with higher vitamin C content – essential for preventing and combating flu symptoms and boosting immunity.

As soon as acerola is harvested, it is transported on the same day. The harvested acerola leaves the rural area where it is cultivated and goes to the association’s headquarters, where it is stored in the cold storage chambers.

The director of Afruhco reported that the total storage capacity is 100 tons. The photovoltaic solar energy system that will be installed at the headquarters in Paraná will supply the entire association area, especially where the cold storage chambers are located.

With The Project From The Government Of The State Of Paraná, The Association Will Be Added To The List Of Companies Contributing To Sustainability And Environmental Preservation

The association’s electricity bills showed that, in one year, the energy expenditure in just one off-season month was 393.26. In the harvest month, it was approximately R$ 29,446.43.

Annual energy consumption reached 129,694 kWh, with a monthly value of 10,808 kWh. With the project from the Government Of The State Of Paraná, all these costs will be reduced. The project to install the photovoltaic solar energy system was designed by the IDR-Paraná staff, in partnership with the Municipal Secretary of Agriculture and Environment.