Production of fine fruit uses solar energy system and has economy in SC

The high cost of electricity in Brazil and the increasingly competitive prices of solar equipment explain the multiplication of new projects across the country. An example in Santa Catarina is the investment made by an agroindustry in Itá, in the west of the state. The company has invested in a photovoltaic solar system in the production of fine fruit. The property produces blueberry, blackberry and raspberry, fruits known as antioxidants, since 2012. The investment made in January already generates sustainably virtually all the electricity consumed in the property. The electricity bill, which stood between R $4000 and R $4500 Monthly, was reduced by 90%. At the end of the first year of operation, the expectation is that the economy is approximately R $50000. In the company were placed 140 panels with a system that lasts 25 years. The investment was almost R $300,000 and should be recovered in less than five years, said the managing partner, Gleison Minella. In addition to saving the electricity bill, the investment helps attract tourists and the place covered by the panels also serves to receive the commodity of agribusiness. Solar energy Solar energy in Brazil has advanced more than ten times in two years. According to the survey of the Institute of Applied Economic Research (IPEA), linked to the Ministry of Economics, the country is fulfilling the UN's goal of investing more in clean and renewable sources until 2030. The number of solar panel installations has taken a leap of just over 7,400 to 49000 units throughout Brazil. An increase of more than 560%. In 2019, the distributed generation projects are growing 125% compared to 2018. The estimate is from the Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy (Absolar). Among the main users of the technology is the agribusiness sector, which begins to realize its competitive advantages, mainly because of the cost of electricity.