The search for energy solutions without initial investment has been gaining ground among large Brazilian consumers, especially in the retail, shopping center, industrial, agribusiness, and mining sectors.
According to Fernando Silveira, commercial director of GreenYellow, these sectors are among the main drivers of the model known as Energy as a Service, which allows the contracting of energy infrastructure without the need to acquire the assets. This assessment was made during his participation in the latest episode of the Papo Solar podcast, promoted by [organization name missing]. Canal Solar.
According to the executive, the growth of this market has been driven not only by the search for lower energy bills, but also by factors such as high costs of using the electricity grid, demand limitations for distributors, and the growing need for operational reliability.
The "as a service" model allows consumers to use distributed generation (DG) and energy storage solutions without the need for initial investments.
In practice, specialized companies provide the financial investment, install and operate the systems, while the client pays for the service provided throughout the contract. The solution can be structured, for example, through the rental of equipment installed directly at the consumer's premises.
In this format, the customer pays a monthly fee for the use of the assets, significantly reduces consumption from the conventional grid, and protects themselves against power outages and high tariffs during peak hours. In some cases, the consumer may even assume ownership of the equipment at the end of the contract.
main markets
According to Silveira, the food retail sector remains one of the main markets for this type of solution. "The food retail sector has significant demand. Shopping centers also have considerable demand, as do industries in general," he stated.
According to the executive, the competitiveness of the projects depends mainly on the relationship between the cost of generating energy and the cost the consumer would incur by continuing to buy electricity from the grid. "We have a two-pronged approach. On one hand, you have the cost of solar. On the other, you have the cost of energy substitution," he explained.
He further emphasized that regions with higher tariffs for using the distribution system tend to have greater potential for this type of contract. "There is room, for example, in Rio de Janeiro, where the TUSD (Transmission System Usage Tariff) exceeds R$ 200,00," he pointed out.
According to Silveira, commercial clients located in regions with high tariffs and constantly increasing sector charges tend to have a clearer demand for alternative energy solutions, especially when there is a possibility of combining cost reduction with increased operational security.
According to the executive, however, the main transformation in the market lies in the fact that energy is no longer seen merely as an expense. "When you can sell the solution far beyond just a discount on the electricity bill, that's when it becomes a killer. You start talking about increased productivity," he stated.
In this context, Silveira points to shopping centers as one of the most promising segments for the Energy as a Service model. According to him, these developments combine high energy demand, space availability, and the need for complementary solutions.
GreenYellow's commercial director also cited a case study of a gold mining company located in a region without available electrical infrastructure.
To make the activity viable, the company developed a solution based on solar power generation combined with battery storage. "The guy is in a location that doesn't have power from the grid. How are you going to deliver power to him? It's solar with a battery," he explained.
According to Silveira, the project includes 3 MWp of solar generation combined with 5 MWh of storage, demonstrating how the "as a service" model can meet demands that go far beyond simply reducing energy bills.
According to the executive, the clients most committed to the model currently share similar challenges, such as high TUSD costs, demand limitations imposed by distributors, problems related to the quality of supply, and a growing need for operational reliability.
In this scenario, Silveira explains that energy ceases to be merely an operational cost and begins to be treated as a strategic asset for business growth.
GreenYellow brings hybrid BESS and solar solution to gold mining company in Mato Grosso.
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