RJ Project Enables Solar Tile Adoption in Favela and Employs Young People from Vidigal in the Renewable Energy Market

Sustainable Favela Network Now Has a 3.6 kW Solar Roof System and Contributes to Empowering Youth from Vidigal to Work in the Renewable Energy Sector in RJ

A partnership among the organizations SER Alzira, Solfortes, Grupo FRG Mídias e Eventos, Phb, and Solarize made it possible to use and install a 3.6 kW solar roof system for the Sustainable Favela Network, which houses a working group on solar energy aimed at reversing and expanding the roof of the institution’s building. After a halt in activities due to the pandemic, 20 collaborators from 5 communities and the pavement gathered, completing the entire project in just five days. The solar panels were installed in the neighborhood of Vidigal, RJ.

Read Also

• Engineering Giant Modec Has Internship Openings in the Financial and Administrative Areas
• Eletrobras Privatization Will Result in Billion-Dollar Losses for Brazilians; About R$ 300 Billion Will Come from Increases in Electricity Bills
• Arabs Arrive at the Port of Rio de Janeiro Searching for Investments in Brazil
• PetroReconcavo Launches Many Onshore Job Openings for Technicians, Supervisors, and Engineers
• Solar Energy Reaches a New Historic Mark in Brazilian Territory with 13 GW of Installed Capacity

Youth from the Favela Secure Careers in the Renewable Energy Sector

The initiative came from Tiago Fraga, CEO of the FRG group and organizer of the GD Southeast Forum, who stated that the solar roof technology will be spread across Vidigal and that more residents of the neighborhood will be trained, also mentioning the advancement of more projects in other favelas with distinct challenges.

According to the executive, in addition to reducing electricity consumption, efforts are also being made to encourage young people from Vidigal to become qualified and have careers in the renewable energy sector in RJ. Tiago also referred to the relief in electricity costs for the NGO SER Alzira de Aleluia, which was founded about 18 years ago by Antônio Carlos de Aleluia and Elma Maria da Silva de Aleluia.

NGO Trains Youth and Prepares Them for the Job Market

SER Alzira – Antônio was the first young person from Vidigal to enroll in an engineering course at the Federal University of Fluminense in 1970. Since then, his life has been transformed by education, leading him to create the NGO so that young people from the favelas of RJ, like him, have knowledge and opportunities through English courses, technology, first-job preparations, dance, as well as partnerships on renewable energy and sustainability.

According to Elma Maria, at the institution, training and education come through innovation, and this can be observed through the growth of solar roofs, serving as a tool for openings in new constructions. Regardless of age, gender, or color, the goal is to innovate to create.

The NGO operates the Alzira House Hostel, which receives young people from all regions of Brazil and foreign volunteers, advancing cultural education and promoting sustainability to other continents.

Company Creates Solar Roofs That Can Be Installed on Any Home

The American solar roof supplier, GAF Energy, announced the launch of the world’s first solar energy roof with nails. The distinguishing feature of this renewable energy product compared to other solar roofs is that the system is integrated with traditional roofing processes and materials.

According to the company, the product is manufactured at its facilities located in San José, California. It is important to highlight that the new panels can withstand winds of up to 210 km/h.

The project has achieved UL certification 7103, allowing the company to implement the product on residential roofs, serving both as a roofing product and a solar energy product, being the first to be recognized under two designations.