Although photovoltaic energy has grown in recent years, data collected by Canal Solar energy shows that Brazil continues to be one of the countries that most misses the opportunity to invest in the growth of sustainable sources. Currently, according to the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), the country has an estimated population of 213,3 million people, distributed across approximately 61 million families.
However, information from the ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) show that in the national territory only 437,7 thousand solar systems in residences are in operation – which, in practice, reveals that for every 139 families, only one uses the compensation system through the source. Among the main reasons that explain the lack of greater participation by the population are the lack of incentives and educational campaigns by the Federal Government.
Civil servant Vanderlei Aparecido, 53, is one of the Brazilians who has been thinking about installing a system in his home for years. However, he says he doesn’t feel comfortable making the investment because of some doubts. “The first is knowing what type of system we need to install; the second is knowing whether the technology is advanced or not; and the third is quality: which brand can I trust? These are major difficulties,” he said.
Lack of incentives
According to Rodrigo Sauaia, CEO of ABSOLAR (Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy), the low adoption of photovoltaic equipment – close to the generation capacity that the source has in the country – could be overcome if there were more investments in credit lines and additional benefits for those who adhere to the system.
As an example, he cites the model adopted by the United States, where consumers with solar energy installed on their property receive a discount proportional to their generation on their income tax. According to him, Brazil also needs to have a greater government involvement in campaigns capable of popularizing the system and dispelling the rumor that the technology is completely inaccessible.
“Brazil is still far behind in the use of its own generation. In Australia, one in five properties already generate their own energy, that is, 20% of the share. Here in our country, this number is still far from 1%,” he explained.
The CEO also highlighted the benefits that this type of energy offers to the country's economy, especially at a time of water crisis, with consecutive increases in electricity bills and a considerable risk of rationing. “It is good that new investments are being made, especially now, because no technology is faster than self-generation on rooftops to help increase the supply of electricity in the country,” he pointed out.
