PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CONCESSIONAIRE AND COMMUNITY WILL TAKE SOLAR ENERGY FROM THE FREI CANECA PLANT TO PILAR - 10/09/22
Light Energia S/A put into operation a 160 kWp solar plant at its unit in Frei Caneca in Rio de Janeiro. This is an unprecedented initiative in Brazil, which will allocate the electricity generated for social purposes, with the objective of reducing the electricity bill of users in situations of vulnerability.
The research and development project is an investment by Light in partnership with the Brazil Energy Program (BEP), carried out by a consortium of research institutions led by Hubz and IATI, and has the support of ANEEL. The innovative character of the project lies in associating a technological solution for distributed generation with the social use of electricity in low-income communities in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro.
A centralized photovoltaic generation unit reduces maintenance and operating costs, promoting electrification and access to the most vulnerable families. In the case of the solar panels at the Frei Caneca plant, the amount of electricity will be destined for consumption in the community of Pilar, in Duque de Caxias, in the Baixada Fluminense region.
In addition to the plant, 30 families from Pilar were selected to receive a kit with photovoltaic panels, batteries and intelligent control and measurement systems that, installed directly in their homes, will allow the energy surplus to be managed by a cooperative of residents, whose objective is to promote electrification and reduce electricity costs, generating green credit.
The initiative to integrate the community directly into the management of infrastructure and the provision of electricity for domestic purposes is a first step towards building a sustainable energy community and citizen mobilization, around intelligent and socially referenced electrification.
CLEAN AND AFFORDABLE ENERGY TO THOSE WHO NEED IT
07/26/22 - Solar Pilar pilot video
Did you know that it is possible to provide clean, afordable energy to those who need it, with social inclusion and equity, using green financing? This is the objective of Solar Pilar Project, an open-air laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment testing an inclusive business model.
Watch our video and learn more about the project.
GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION CRITERIA
07/26/22
Clean and affordable energy for those who need it, with social inclusion and gender equality: this is the objective that led to the selection of households to benefit from the Solar Pilar pilot, an open-air laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment and an inclusive business model.
In fact, the selection of project´s beneficiaries was based on information that the mere classification by energy consumption ranges is not capable provide, especially when seekingto ensure equity and inclusion.
Thus, in addition to the energy consumption ranges and the minimum conditions necessary for the installation of technologies, the GESI criteria, acronym for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, were adopted in the process of selecting beneficiaries.
Four social criteria were crossed with the three consumption ranges defined for the selection of houses, to ensure that there are at least 40% of them headed by women, 60% inhabited by black or indigenous people and 10% with at least one disabled resident. In 2021, Light updated a census to include information that would allow the sampling to includethe GESI criteria.
The project selected 30 homes that will receive a kit with photovoltaic panels, battery, smart meter and electricity consumption monitoring device. Another 60 will receive solar energy, by remote distributed generation, from the 352 solar panels installed at Light’s Frei Caneca substation.
To assess the effectiveness of this innovative model and to run comparative analyses, a control group was created with 150 residences that will receive smart meters. The pilot will last approximately 2 years.
PROJECT PRESENTATION FOR PILAR RESIDENTS
01/22/22 - Cidade dos Meninos Municipal School
The first Pilar Solar Project presentation meeting took place on January 22, 2022, at the Cidade dos Meninos Community School. The event was attended by 57 residents, and representatives from Light Company, the British Government Energy Program for Brazil (BEP), and the Advanced Institute of Technology and Innovation (IATI). A physical model and a solar panel were used to demonstrate how solar energy works in a home. On the occasion, community members could learn about the project proposal, ask questions, and express interest in participating.
RESIDENTS ENCOUNTER FOR THE SOLAR PILAR COOPERATIVE CREATION
02/12/22 - Cidade dos Meninos Municipal School
The Solar Pilar project team held a meeting with members of the community to support the creation of a nonprofit organization composed by the residents, called Co-op Solar Pilar.
Resolution 482 of the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) requires the creation of a co-op association so that the community can generate its own solar energy, supply unused energy to the public network and transform the surplus into a discount in the energy bills.
