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PT_BR 
“We expect the photovoltaic market to accelerate in the second half of the year. It is very noticeable, given everything that was held back during the pandemic period.” This is what Kirk Bardini, head of sales at WEG Solar, said.
The executive – who participated this Wednesday (11) in the Midwest Regional Distributed Generation Forum, which started yesterday (11) and ends today (12) in Cuiabá (MT) – commented on the projections for the sector in 2021 and highlighted the importance of integrating solar with energy storage.
Read more: Batteries can help integrate solar and other sources
“As things progress with the regulatory side, this year we will have the possibility of selling batteries in commercial form for on-grid systems. I think this will indeed be a big step”, he said.
“When we talk about storage, we are adding a gigantic market to solar. The potential for us is really great”, highlighted Bardini, adding that the expectation is that this year the photovoltaic segment [centralized generation] will reach the 4 GW mark. It currently has 3.4 GW of power – which corresponds to 1.9% of the Brazilian electrical matrix.
Roberto Valer, coordinator of the training center at PHB Solar, also spoke about the projections for the second semester and emphasized that the sector is fighting for the approval of the PL 5829, which aims to create the legal framework for DG (distributed generation) in Brazil. “We hope it will be approved as soon as possible.”
“In addition, we have the water crisis, which is increasing electricity rates. On the other hand, it is a problem that in a way favors the solar sector, as more people will start to demand photovoltaic systems because it is a way to save on their electricity bills”, he commented.
Read more: Water crisis and high electricity bills drive Brazilians' adoption of solar energy
Technological market
Regarding the expectations of the technological market, Valer pointed out that there are inverters with greater protection and greater power that can already follow the measurement of the IV curve – essential to carry out, for example, what would be a test of NBR 16.274, which establishes the tests and the minimum documentation that must be compiled after installing a grid-connected photovoltaic system.
“Another point is that bifacial modules are now also arriving at a very interesting price. These are panels that have a slightly longer useful life and a slightly smaller drop in performance. Statistics from international entities even show that bifacials will represent a large part of the market share in the coming years”, reported the specialist.
“Regarding storage, as already mentioned, all major manufacturers and suppliers are already trying to develop solutions of this type. We have the RAC (Conformity Assessment Regulation) that is being revised and NBR 16.149 and 16.150 that also accompany the RAC review – which will allow us to officially install systems connected to batteries”, he added.
More reviews
Leonardo Rodrigues, coordinator of Renovigi's Technical Support Area, was one of several professionals who participated in the GD Forum and outlined projections for the remainder of 2021. According to him, What we can see, based on history, is that the second semester actually tends to be more heated.
“What makes me more motivated is that I see that all suppliers are involved in developing new businesses and new technologies, bringing in top-of-the-line materials from abroad and consequently elevating Brazil to a European and Asian level. Furthermore, raising the level of discussion is important to expand ideas and align market vision to optimize the commercial side”, he highlighted.
“So, we do have good projections for this year. Events like the GD Forum and Intersolar heat up the segment, and that's great. Furthermore, the development of storage technologies and the feasibility of this equipment – as well as bifacial modules, with higher power, inverters following the power of the panels, in terms of electric current and voltage – make the photovoltaic sector even safer”, reinforced Rodrigues .
