The generation of solar energy and the financing of solar panels end up being smaller than the expenses with electricity

Brazilians have been looking for alternatives to save money when paying their electricity bills. As an alternative, investments in solar energy have been an option, especially when it comes to financing the installation (more than 50% of solar panel installations in Brazil are financed).

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When the consumer does not have all the necessary resources, the option of financing to obtain solar energy proves to be advantageous. By the way, the interest rates that affect the value, at the end of the day, results in savings in the pockets of consumers. In addition to reducing or exempting themselves from electricity bill expenses, people who have solar panels in their homes are no longer hostages to continuous increases.

In 2021 alone, the light bill will probably be 12% more expensive, on average. The conventional rate has already been readjusted by 7%, and the red flag (for each 100 kWh) by 52%, according to the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel). For 2022, the estimate is for an average increase of 16,68%.

The results presented are above the basic interest rate of the economy (Selic), currently at 6,25%, each year. The rate marks the value of the credit, which is added to other costs, and the total varies depending on the institution. The good news is that the interest cost ends when the financing is paid off, unlike conventional readjustments, for those who still do not use solar energy as an alternative.

The director of Entec Solar, developer of technology for photovoltaic energy generation, Tiago Sarneski, states that “In practice, this is not a real interest rate, as the rate [paid on financing] replaces the increase in the rate that the consumer stops bear when investing in own energy generation”.

Financing for up to 96 months

According to Tiago, investments in photovoltaic solar power generation offered on the market by Entec Solar can be paid in up to 96 months. On average, sales are made for payment within five years. “In other words, after that period, the consumer no longer has to readjust the light bill or interest on the loan”, says Tiago.

More than 50% of investments in installing solar panels and generating solar energy in Brazil are financed, according to the “Strategic Study – Distributed Generation: Photovoltaic Market”, by Greener, a consultancy company in the field of solar energy. It is a mechanism widely used by consumers - a group that accounts for almost three quarters (74%) of solar panel financing

Solar energy and the so-called payback

Another survey shows that the investment that pays off is the so-called “payback”, that is, time for the resources initially spent to be compensated, the return on investment of solar panels. Entec Solar's manager mentions an investment with a return of R$ 420 thousand. Every year, with the cut in electricity bill expenses, this accumulated amount is discounted. Since, after four years, with the desired economy, the invested resources are recovered.

Another factor that makes consumers embrace solar energy is sustainability. “Both for residential and commercial establishments, it is indeed a considerable investment. However, with the possibilities of financing, with the 'payback', and even more so in this context of water crisis that has increased the cost of energy in Brazil, it is an investment with financial return, not to mention the importance of environmental sustainability”, emphasizes the director of Entec Solar.