Laboratory network invests in solar DG and should save R$335 thousand per year

The Labchecap clinical analysis laboratory network, located in Salvador (BA), will save around R$27.960 per month in electricity costs. The savings will be possible thanks to the implementation of a photovoltaic solar plant dedicated to serving the 48 units of the laboratory and imaging network.

According to the company, the annual savings will be approximately R$335.567, which is equivalent to using energy throughout the year and paying only the equivalent of just over 8 months, considering the expense before implementing the photovoltaic plant.

According to Maurício Bernardino, CEO at Labchecap, with the implementation of the plant the company will have a reduction in its bills through the production of clean energy, in addition to following the laboratory's sustainability strategy.

“Sustainability is in our values. When we talk about this we also talk about the preservation of natural resources. Using solar energy to power our units was an initiative that, in addition to generating cost reduction, has an environmental impact to reduce the effect of consumption from more traditional actions. We believe this is sustainable and in line with modern thinking. We are very happy with this”, comments Bernardino.

The photovoltaic system, built under a built-to-suit contract, has 640 kWp and will produce 1,44 GWh per year. According to the laboratory network, the plant has enough energy to serve 100% of Labchecap's 36 units.

According to Voltxs Energia, the company responsible for developing the project, the energy generation system has 1.580 mono-PERC photovoltaic modules from Trina Solar model 405Wp and nine SG50CX Sungrow inverters, with guarantees of operation for more than 10 years.

Rodrigo Oliveira Gordilho, civil engineer and construction supervisor at Voltxs, comments that, even with the pandemic, the work was completed on time. “Due to the isolation guidelines resulting from the pandemic, there was a partial stoppage of works. However, we managed to connect the plant as scheduled without any major disruptions.”

Partnership with private investors

Labchecap did not need to invest in the construction and implementation of the solar plant, as the project was developed in partnership with private investors who assumed all the costs involved in the project in exchange for long-term contractual loyalty.

“Despite the partnership, we contacted some companies that offer the service to implement the photovoltaic project on the market. When we analyzed both the commercial proposal, as well as the technical backend and portfolio of these companies, the credibility of Voltxs executives was a combination of commercial and technical proposal that motivated us to continue with the project”, says Bernardino.

According to Voltxs, investors benefit from more attractive rates of return that the capital market has offered and the Labchecap laboratory benefits from savings achieved.