Installing more than 30 photovoltaic modules on an island requires overcoming conditions that go far beyond energy generation. In Fernando de Noronha (PE), exposure to the marine environment, soil characteristics, and space limitations are among the main challenges in developing the structures of the Noronha Verde project.
The initiative, which foresees investments of around R$ 350 million, combines solar power generation with energy storage systems to gradually reduce the archipelago's dependence on fossil fuels.
One of the companies involved in the project is Brametal, responsible for supplying the fixed structures for the photovoltaic modules. Canal SolarThe company detailed the main challenges encountered in this phase of implementation.
According to Rafael Rodrigues de Souza, Commercial Manager of Brametal's Solar Unit, the conditions found on the island required specific solutions, mainly for corrosion protection, foundations, and making the most of the available area.
Proximity to the sea, for example, was one of the aspects considered in the development of the structures, since the presence of humidity and salinity requires special attention to protection against corrosion.
“In this sense, all of Brametal's structures are hot-dip galvanized, with a zinc layer sized according to the environment and the characteristics of the material, a process that the company masters with its own galvanizing lines and more than 50 years of experience,” comments Souza.
Soil characteristics affect foundations.
The terrain also required a specific analysis. According to the company manager, the different areas used by the project have distinct soil characteristics, a factor that directly influences the definition of the foundations responsible for supporting the structures.
The solution was developed based on data collected at each site, seeking to reconcile structural safety, ease of execution, and cost. This work is important because the foundation needs to be compatible with both the characteristics of the terrain and the loads to which the structures will be subjected throughout the operation.
Limited space led to a different layout.
Another challenge involves land availability. Although the project envisions more than 30 modules, the geography of Fernando de Noronha itself imposes limitations on land occupation. The solution found was to adopt a different layout than that conventionally used in fixed photovoltaic systems.
According to Souza, while the conventional arrangement cited by the company uses tables on an East/West axis facing North, in Fernando de Noronha the structures were positioned on a North/South axis, with two mirrored tables forming an inverted "V", a configuration also known as delta.
“This type of configuration is known for providing a more distributed generation curve throughout the day and for allowing for greater land occupancy density. Adopting this solution required specific engineering work from Brametal to adapt the design and manufacturing to this need,” said Souza.
According to the executive, the conditions found in Fernando de Noronha reinforced the attention given to different stages of the structures' development. "Critical issues such as foundations, layout, and corrosion protection are always treated with great care," he emphasized.
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