EN 
PT_BR 
The Brazilian Army has been investing increasingly in the installation of solar panels in units of the corporation that are located in remote locations in the country and that do not have 100% for access to the electrical network.
Last week, the Regional Maintenance Park of the 12th Military Region, in Manaus (AM), was the stage for training that trained 12 military personnel to install photovoltaic modules.
The action aimed to specialize members of the military organizations of the CMA (Amazon Military Command) in the assembly and maintenance of equipment that will be installed in the PEF (Special Border Platoons) of the Jungle Infantry Brigades.
As a result, the measure will provide more comfort to the military, who do not have access to electricity and who depend on micro plants and generators to meet their needs. In total, the photovoltaic system has six solar panels, four batteries and a 2 KW inverter. In the future, military personnel residing in the PEF will also be trained in the maintenance of solar panels.
According to the Army, new systems will also be installed soon in other locations, such as the 2nd PEF, in Querari (AM); at the 6th PEF, in Pari Cachoeira (AM); and at the 4th PEF, in Surucucu (RO).
Other actions
In February this year, the Army also opened a photovoltaic energy plant at the 5th PEF (Special Border Platoon), in the municipality of Auaris (RR). The plant brought more stability to the corporation, which previously depended on air transport of diesel oil to supply its generators.
The project was prepared by the 6th BEC (Construction Engineering Battalion), with coupling to alternating current, through a modularized energy storage system, with 198 kW of installed power and a storage capacity of 248.4 kWh. The inauguration was held on February 2nd during a ceremony.
Last year, other solar units were also installed in military areas. The 1st Engineering Group, for example, installed a photovoltaic energy system on its premises to provide continuous energy and reduce electricity costs.
In total, 777 solar panels were installed, which today provide an estimated reduction of 54% in the group's monthly energy consumption and 33% in the electricity bill. According to the Army, this represents, on average, a saving of R$ 180 thousand per year, with a payback – expected return on investment – within five years.
Sustainable program
In May 2019, the Brazilian Army took an important step towards valuing renewable energy within the corporation, with the launch of the “EB Sustentável” program – an initiative created to meet the entity's sustainable demand, especially in works in military areas.
In the presentation of the project, which took place at the Army Headquarters, in Brasília (DF), General Claudio Coscia Moura highlighted the importance of the initiative. “This launch represents a milestone for our institution, as it structures actions aimed at sustainable development in military construction,” he said.
