Impact of solar energy on the lives of low-income families

A survey conducted by the Pólis Institute, in partnership with Ipec (Intelligence in Research and Strategic Consulting), with two thousand people from all over the country, revealed that the electricity bill is one of the biggest expenses for Brazilians and this impact is even more significant among families of low income.

According to the survey, 25% of people belonging to classes D and E reported that they had to stop buying food to be able to pay their electricity bill, 49% stated that food and the energy bill are the items that weigh most heavily on the family budget and 36% of those interviewed said that they spend half or more of their monthly income to pay for electricity and gas.

The cost of electricity is a significant burden for families who do not have the financial resources. However, installing solar energy systems can alleviate this pressure, allowing them to use their income more efficiently.

A photovoltaic system has the potential to reduce consumers’ electricity costs by up to 95%. These savings allow residents to invest in other areas of essential needs such as education, health or food. This results in improvements not only in reducing energy poverty but also in people’s quality of life.

Energy challenges of a country with 8,6% of the population living in slums 

In Brazil, initiatives such as Light for All Program, and credit lines for photovoltaic system installations, help generate solar energy in the most needy communities and represent an important step towards building a more sustainable, egalitarian future, generating gains in economic terms and strengthening the energy and social autonomy of the most vulnerable population.

In addition, there are several projects and actions that seek to enhance the photovoltaic sector in the country. Researchers at USP (University of São Paulo), created a solar cooker for low-income communities in São Paulo, the device uses the sun's energy to cook food.

The aim is to replace wood or coal-fired ovens, which can cause serious harm to health due to smoke, improving the quality of the air breathed in homes, without causing any harm to the environment.

Another similar project is taking place in the states of Piauí and Rio Grande do Norte, where incentives were created to enable people to have access to this type of product, aiming to reduce the costs of cooking gas.

Social solar energy projects in Brazil demonstrate the potential of this technology to create a more sustainable and fair future. These initiatives not only provide clean energy, but also empower communities and generate local jobs.

With the continued growth of the sector and the support of partnerships between NGOs and companies, solar energy is establishing itself as a powerful solution to the country's energy and social challenges.

This is the ideal time to take advantage of the growth of the solar energy market and channel a significant portion of the new investments in the expansion of photovoltaic energy to low-income consumers. This initiative will bring environmental, social and economic benefits, generating positive impacts in several areas.

The opinions and information expressed are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the author. Canal Solar.