The government of the state of São Paulo, through Emae (Metropolitan Water and Energy Company), opened this Tuesday (6) a public call for the choice of companies interested in installing floating photovoltaic projects in the Billings Reservoir, in the capital of São Paulo.
Participants must present technical, financial and environmental documents provided for in the edict. Registration must be made by December 9th. According to the government, proposals will be presented for generation plants with power ranging between 1 MWp and 30 MWp in four pre-established locations in Billings.
After the qualification phase of the competitors, the proposal with the highest economic return for Emae will win, which intends to have up to 49% of the SPE (Specific Purpose Company) formed to execute the project, whose energy produced will be sold in Regulated Contracting Environments and Free.
“The pilot plant installed in the dam lake showed the viability of the project. With this public call, the São Paulo government sets another important example in the use of renewable energy, in addition to generating employment and income for the population”, said Marcos Penido, Secretary of Infrastructure and Environment.
“We will continue to encourage the development of alternative and sustainable sources of electricity generation, always considering the main global market trends,” said Marcio Rea, president of Emae. More information can be obtained by accessing the company's website.
'Floating photovoltaic plants will dominate the market'
“I calculate that the UFF (floating photovoltaic plants) market, in the next 10, 15 years, should surpass ground installations”. This is the prediction of electrical engineer José Teixeira, a specialist in FVF.
According to Teixeira, this dominance will happen because these Solar systems have some characteristics that put them at an advantage over land-based plants. “The main advantage is that the UFFs make the photovoltaic panel operation cooler, increasing the efficiency of energy generation. When you raise the system above water, you already have the enormous benefit of the natural cooling that this provides,” he explained.
Grounding floating solar plants
According to Paulo Freire, specialist in grounding and SPDA (Atmospheric Discharge Protection Systems) for large plants, grounding in water is basically formed by anchoring plants. “Stainless steel cables are generally used fixed in holes on the reservoir bed, interconnected with the grounding grid of the consumer or concessionaire substation”, explained Freire.
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