Concern about a possible revocation of the ex-tariffs continues in the solar sector. A ABSOLAR (Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association) reported, this Wednesday (08), that it filed two requests with the CAMEX (Chamber of Foreign Commerce) – one addressed to the Federal Government and the other to Mercosul – to maintain the import tax exemption for bifacial and monofacial modules.
The ex-tariff regime basically consists of a mechanism for temporarily reducing the import tax rate for products not manufactured in the country. In recent years, a series of exemptions have been granted to solar energy equipment for the national market, but these would now be under threat.
In the view of ABSOLAR, a change in the former tariffs could cause a drop in investments in the sector, cancellation of projects already contracted and underway, loss of jobs and income for workers, in addition to increasing the price of solar energy for the Brazilian population.
The association reported that at least 281 photovoltaic projects would be at risk, totaling more than 25 GW and R$97 billion in investments, if the ex-tariffs are revoked.
The proposal sent by the entity requests a 0% rate for the acquisition of 11.428.571 monofacial modules, equivalent to 6,4 GW of installed power, on average, and 16.000.000 bifacial modules, equivalent to 9,6 GW of average installed power.
Last week, the ABSOLAR met with Geraldo Alckmin, vice-president and minister of MDIC (Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services), and his team, warning of the risks of loss of investments and green jobs if the former tariffs in use by the sector are revoked immediately.
“To overcome this challenge and eliminate these risks, the ABSOLAR proposes the structuring of a well-defined and effective plan for photovoltaic modules, considering a minimum transition period of 24 months for the former tariffs effectively in use by the sector, mapped by the entity with the support of our associates. The objective is to avoid the unfeasibility of projects already underway in the country, ensuring the maintenance of legal security, predictability and tax stability for the sector”, said Rodrigo Sauaia, executive president of ABSOLAR.
“The meeting with Geraldo Alckmin and the MDIC team was positive and there is a commitment from the authorities to evaluate in detail the proposals brought by the association, to find a suitable solution for the solar sector and Brazilian society”, he added.
Sauaia said that the evolution of the solar energy market in Brazil should not be threatened, especially when the Federal Government establishes green economy development agendas.
An answer
We do have to fight for millions of Brazilians who have a decent job in the solar system, that all deputies and senators in this country defend their voters so that there is no taxation in the sun or by Snell or by politicians who want to harm the Brazilian people by charging absurd taxes for us .