EN 
PT_BR 
Since early afternoon this Thursday (28), integrators have been meeting in front of the headquarters of Cemig (Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais), in Belo Horizonte (MG), to demonstrate against the difficulties they are facing when trying to connect photovoltaic systems in consumer units served by the concessionaire.
Protesters allege that they have faced significant obstacles from Cemig, which has hampered the expansion of solar energy in the state. According to them, several projects are on hold due to allegations of power flow inversion.
They also argue that Cemig Sim, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cemig, is unfairly competing with projects in the energy sector.
In the latter case, they report that Cemig would be rejecting connection requests from integrators so that Cemig SIM would then contact their customers to offer system installations.
“We show the client the importance of the investment and the return it will have, Cemig does not approve our project and then Cemig SIM goes with all the work that was done and makes the sale”, reported Marcelo Silva, of the Sol Energia Solar Network.
“We are here to claim our rights, to keep our companies open, generating jobs, income and economy for the state, that is why we ask the governor to look at us because solar energy is just starting and cannot stop”, he added.
This scenario is already leading some companies to close and carry out mass layoffs. “In the North of Minas we will not have 4 thousand jobs closed. It is estimated that in the entire state of Minas Gerais this number exceeds 10 thousand, and could reach 14 thousand jobs lost”, reported Walter Abreu, integrator businessman in the North of Minas Gerais and regional director of ABGD (Brazilian Association of Distributed Generation) in Minas Gerais.
After protesting in front of Cemig's headquarters, the integrators went to the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais. The objective was to ask for the support of the Minas Gerais Legislature to contribute to solving the problems that are part of the current scenario.
“Today, I had the opportunity to be with hundreds of defenders of cheap energy, solar energy and the maintenance of jobs and companies in Minas Gerais. Seeing the testimonies of these professionals in front of Cemig, and also in the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais, led me to two understandings: we have a united segment and that the problems are bigger than we imagine. This needs to stop”, reported Wedson Silva, leader of Frente Mineira and vice-president of Movimento Solar Livre.
The Canal Solar team will continue to follow the action and bring more information as it becomes available.
