EN 
PT_BR 
The Ministry of Defense (MD) saw a reduction of more than 40% in its monthly energy bill after the implementation of its first photovoltaic solar plant. The total investment was R$ 2.4 million and the estimated payback is six years.
The project involves the installation of 1,600 photovoltaic panels on the roof of the building attached to the Ministry of Defense and occupies an area of approximately 3,200 m². The system generates, on average, 72,000 KWh/month.
Thiago D'Arolla Pedrosa Galvão, manager of the Engineering and General Services department (DESEG), highlighted the importance of implementing the system. “One of the most important commitments between government, business and society is to guarantee quality of life on the planet in the coming decades. Aware of this responsibility, we are taking an important step along this path”, he highlighted.
The solar plant, installed on the Esplanada dos Ministérios, is part of the pilot project of the Ministry of Defense's spending efficiency program.
The system intends to supply more than 50% of the energy consumed by the MD Annex. The objective is to reduce 69,513 kg of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
“The Ministry of Defense's mini-plant is a pioneering project at the federal level and could trigger new installations in public buildings under the pilot plan, further popularizing the adoption of photovoltaic solar energy for energy generation and demonstrating that its use is democratic, whether in homes, businesses, industries, rural areas and now, in government bodies”, said Wladimir Janousek, specialist in renewable energy.
