The solar energy that operate in the segment of distributed micro and minigeneration were already responsible for creation of more than 386 thousand jobs em São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and Mato Grosso.
Os data are from ABSOLAR (Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association) and take into the volume of hires made since 2012, when the expansion of DG (distributed generation) began in Brazil from the 482 Resolution.
During this period, the segment also accumulated R$65,4 billion in new investments and more than R$14 billion in revenue for public coffers in five federative units, which today are those with the largest volumes of installed power in solar DG, as shown in the image below:
for the CEO of ABSOLAR, Rodrigo Sauaia, the growth of own generation of solar energy in states such as São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and Mato Grosso strengthens: sustainability; Brazil's international protagonism; relieves family budgets and increases the competitiveness of national productive sectors.
“The solar source is a lever for the country’s development. In particular, we have an immense opportunity to use technology in social programs, such as popular housing programs My home, my life, in the universalization of access to electrical energy through the program Light for All, as well as its use in public buildings, such as schools, hospitals, health centers, police stations, among others, helping to reduce government spending on electricity so that they have more resources to invest in health, education and other societal priorities ”, he stated.
São Paulo
According to data from ABSOLAR and the ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency), the state of São Paulo is the major player in the production of solar energy, with around 3,4 GW in operation in homes, businesses, industries, rural properties and public buildings.
In total, the region has more than 361 thousand operational connections, spread across 645 municipalities, or 100% of São Paulo’s municipalities. Currently, there are just over 422 thousand consumers who already have a reduction in their electricity bill.
Since 2012, its own generation of solar energy has provided São Paulo with the attraction of BRL 16,7 billion in investments, generating more than 99,3 jobs and collection of R$3,9 billion to public coffers.
Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is the second Brazilian state with the highest installed power in solar DG, with 3,34 GW and more than 266 thousand connections in operation in all 853 cities in the region. Currently, there are more than 645 thousand consumers who already have a reduction in their electricity bill.
In total, the state's own generation of solar energy has already attracted BRL 16,8 billion in investments, generating more than 98,7 thousand jobssea collection of R$2,8 billion to public coffers.
“Despite the state’s sunny history, the future seems cloudy in Minas Gerais. This is due to the problems that thousands of consumers have faced in connecting their micro and mini plants to Cemig’s distribution network,” highlights the ABSOLAR.
Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul is the third Brazilian state with the highest installed power in solar DG. The region recently sured the 2,56 GW in operation in homes, businesses, industries, rural properties and public buildings.
In total, the state has more than 286 thousand operational connections, spread across 497 municipalities, or 100% of the 497 municipalities in the region. Currently, there are more than 388 thousand consumers who already have a reduction in their electricity bill.
Since 2012, the generation of solar energy has already provided municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul with the attraction of BRL 13,1 billion in investments, generation of 75,6 jobs and the collection of R$3,2 billion to public coffers.
However, the ABSOLAR warns about a problem that has been occurring in the state. “Some electricity distributors have failed to comply with legal regulations for requests to connect photovoltaic systems in distributed generation, with the process being halted, due to the argument of inversion of flow in the network,” the entity reports.
Paraná
The state of Paraná has 2,38 GW of solar energy in operation in the DG segment, being the fourth state with the highest volume of installed power in Brazil.
The region has also attracted around BRL 11,7 billion in investments for distributed micro and mini generation projects, in addition to generating more than 70 jobs and collection of R$2,7 billion to public coffers.
The territory of Paraná has more than 187 thousand connections operational spread across all of its 399 municipalities. Currently, there are more than 259 thousand consumers who already have a reduction in their electricity bill.
“The state of Paraná, however, is the only one in the country with a tax that hinders the advancement of solar energy in the region,” points out ABSOLAR.
In the entity's view, the Paraná government needs to equate the state with the ICMS (Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services) incentive already granted by all other Brazilian states.
“Paraná is the only state that limits the ICMS exemption for solar energy and other renewable sources to up to 48 months, according to ICMS Agreement No. 16/2015, of CONFAZ (National Council for Financial Policy)”.
Mato Grosso
The state of Mato Grosso currently records more than 1,49 GW of installed power in own solar energy generation. In total, there are more than 103 thousand Connections operational in all 141 cities in the region, which provides a reduction in electricity bills for more than 119 thousand consumers.
The installed capacity in solar DG in the region places the state in fifth place in the national ranking ABSOLAR. Since 2012, the modality has provided Mato Grosso with the attraction of BRL 7,1 billion in investments, generating more than 43 jobs and collection of R$ 1,6 billion to public coffers.
