The use of solar panels on house roofs has been shown to be a growing trend. According to data from the Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy (ABSOLAR), Brazil would be a great candidate for solar roofs that could easily surpass Brazil's total electricity generation.
Only in the residential segment, the technical potential of distributed energy generation is of 164 GW (gigawatts), what is more than the 149 GW produced by the Brazilian electricity system in 2015. And to top it off, it's clean and renewable energy.
Reinforcing the importance of using solar panels in homes, a study by the non-governmental organization Greenpeace on energy microgeneration reveals that 72% of respondents from all social classes would buy a photovoltaic solar energy equipment if there were credit lines with low interest rates.
currently, there are about six thousand photovoltaic systems installed in homes that generate about 70 MW (megawatts). It is an installed capacity of energy sufficient to light 30 a thousand houses a year, average.
Until 2020, considering both the solar energy auction market and the distributed generation market, where does the residential segment fit, Brazil must create up to 60 thousand direct jobs with photovoltaic solar energy, and more 100 thousand indirect vacancies, that's what ABSOLAR predicts.
How much does the transition to clean energy in Brazil cost?
Reach 2050 with an energy matrix free from fossil fuels it will cost R$ 1,7 trillion in investments over the next few years. Really look like, but is 6% more in relation to what Brazil will need to invest in energy, considering current policies for the energy sector.
The way to progressively give up oil and coal and reach a matrix 100% renewable by the middle of the century will also enable the generation of 618 one thousand jobs linked to the clean energy area up to 2030.
The scenario is part of the fourth edition of the report [R]Energy Evolution. For that, it would be necessary to redirect public policies and investments in energy efficiency and decentralized generation, with an emphasis on solar sources, wind and biomass.
Prepared with the support of experts from universities and research institutes such as Unicamp, UFRJ e International Energy Initiative (take), the document outlines a panorama for the country to replace fossil energy with renewable ones and the necessary steps in this transition.
“We are talking about a concrete revolution. The report brings a new proposal, which is to zero emissions in the industry, in electricity production and transport”, explains Ricardo Baitelo, Coordinator of the Climate and Energy area of Greenpeace Brasil.
According to this view, in industry and transport the abandonment of fossil energy will also be progressive, with the adoption of biofuels and electricity generated from clean sources. The energy generated by the sun and wind reaches 46% from the energy matrix to 2050, at the same time as the large hydroelectric plants, predominant today, lose space.
in parallel, the guideline is to gradually abolish oil and its derivatives – including the pre-salt -, coal-fired thermoelectric plants and also nuclear generation.
Greenpeace also suggests that no more hydroelectric plants be built in the Amazon region, today the main route for expansion of hydro generation in the country.
In addition to solar roofs, other alternatives arise in the scenario…
The report presents and compares two scenarios that show the possible configurations of the energy matrix in 2050. The Base scenario reflects the continuity of government policies for the sector. the scenario [R]Energy Evolution brings the Greenpeace projection for the same period. with more wind, less hydroelectric and more from other sources, like solar and biomass, a scenario in which renewables complement each other would form.
According to the projection of the NGO, the water source starts to represent 45% of the matrix in 2050, while wind energy grows from the current 7% for 25% and the solar source jumps from less than 1% for 21% of the matrix. Other alternatives arise in the scenario, like oceanic and hydrogen, that will answer for 2% until 2050.
“Transitioning won't be cheap, but the costs are in line with those foreseen in the Base scenario”, says Ballet. Another point that counts in favor of renewables is the falling costs, arising from technological renewal, and the new possibilities of energy storage, like more powerful batteries.
“From 2030 Going forward, clean energy is cheaper, and we will have a consumer generating their own energy. But for that we need public policies and planning”, complete dance.
The report and some information cited were taken from the publication of the greenpeace.org. We can help with this transition.. For partnerships and means of implementation, contact us.