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Farm in Bahia becomes self-sufficient with solar energy
Solar energy works for rural countryside
In rural areas, many farms, cottages and small ranches are not connected to the electricity grid, making it absolutely necessary, if not vital for one to generate your own power. Even where there is availability with very limited access, the use of solar energy can represent a viable alternative with also the added benefit of generating significant energy cost reduction.
It was this decision the owner of a farm in the northern coastal district of Bahia took when he wished to operate his country property in an economically and sustainable way, with as little impact to the environment.
“Renewable Energy fit perfectly for us here, as it was a great inconvenience to be without basic eletricity and lights, when we needed to operate equipment to produce.” he said. “Also, the high costs I save with not having to use my noisy and polluting gasoline generator was another reason to believe in this alternative energy source,” he continues.
There are many possible ways to use or harness energy from the sun, but, in general, solar photovoltaic energy found in these panels are almost always used. These panels consist of cells in the form of plates that absorb energy from the sun, turning this energy into electricity. The devices used in such systems usually consist of photovoltaic panels, controllers, batteries and inverters.
The owner hired EcoPlanet Energy to install 2 solar photovoltaic panels on the the farm house roof.
Now the solar power generator produces up to 75 kWh of electricity per month – that provides all the lighting needs of the house, a small fridge, fan, TV, radio and Hi-Fi, computer and internet, mobile phone charger and small power tools.
The owner decided to have solar panels installed as part of its commitment to reducing his carbon footprint (carbon emissions), but found that in addition to making his farm energy self-sufficient, the solar system not only brought a sense of energy security, but also financial rewards with low energy costs, as well.
“I am more than satisfied, as I do not have to worry anymore about not having light at night. I already have plans to add another solar panel and battery in order to install a small water pump to irrigate my plantil“, he confirms.
For more information on this project click on the case study link.
If you have any further questions or suggestions regarding other projects developed by EcoPlanet Energy,simply contact us: +55 (71)2626.3005 ou sac@ecoplanetenergy.com.
Sailboats sailing with solar energy
EcoPlanet installs solar powered generator on boat
Generating renewable energy from solar radiation, via PV systems is becoming more and more popular. Solar light illumination is absolutely in great abundancy in Bahia, Brazil, and has become a viable and attractive alternative to generating electricity power. EcoPlanet Energy, with its integrated solutions in renewable energy, has developed several projects that disseminate this type of technology. One of its projects was to provide this alternative, clean and sustainable energy for the marine or sailing community in the region..
In addition to the customs port, local regional boats on this picturesque coast of Bahia are mainly used by enthusiastic sailors for the pleasure of sailing or used for sightseeing tours for the many tourist that visit region. Through this recent trend, more and more boat owners are looking at this simple technology to save energy and pollute less the environment.
According to EcoPlanet Energy’s technical professional team, Ailton Cena, explains how solar cell systems are installed on boats. ” ‘ISOLATED’ or better know as ‘OFF-GRID’ photovoltaic systems have solar modules whose power ranges between 80 to 245 Watts-peak, mostly related to the boat size and needs.
The energy generated by the solar panel modules is accumulated in deep cycle batteries, usually of 150 Amp-hours and the system also has a charge controller that is a device that controls the entry and output of energy to/from the batteries. The electricity stored in the battery is used to power the devices on the vessel. Any eletric device or equipment that requires more power to operate, will need to connect and obtain additional energy via the diesel engine generator.“
O consumo de energia pelos barcos é acompanhado constantemente porque sem energia, os marinheiros não podem operar seus equipamentos e instrumentos de navegação, tais como rádio e/ou GPS, muito menos os sistemas de iluminação que são imprescindíveis nas regras de navegação
Energy consumption on boats is a constantly monitored aspect in a good yachtsman or sailor of any seabound vessel, because without power, the sailors cannot operate their navigation equipment and instruments, such as radio and / or GPS, let alone lighting systems that are essential for the compliance of navigational rules and regulations of the waters.
This fact was very important for Mr. Djalma Junior; the proud owner and sailor of “Sonhador” (Dreamer), a beautiful 20 foot sailboat anchored in the ARATU region of Bahia.
He notes, “The situation was getting very uncomfortable, and critical, with the obligated need to start the diesel powered engines every time (Each weekend), I needed to recharge the boat’s batteries that power the sailboat instruments.”
That is to say, if he missed a weekend visit to his boat at the Marina, the batteries would go flat and in consequence render his equipment useless in the hour of need, as well as reduce the battery life, meaning higher maintenance costs.
“In addition not to mention the discomfort for my passengers having to smell the diesel fumes, as well the engine noise, TODAY, I get a huge savings with minimal costs for diesel fuel consumption, and at the same time I contribute to the preservation of the environment with less pollution”, quotes the sailor.
A boat powered by the sun, without the need to recharge your batteries with engines powered by fossil fuel combustion, will reduce pollution in the river beds. It will also help reduce the stress of animal & water life in the region.
“ Bringing together elements of cutting-edge technology, innovation and sustainability is the future in our present, “says the Marine manager,”This becoming a regular normal boat item fixture for many of our Marine-club members for their boats – And all thanks to nature (the sun) with which we all adore and identify well with here.“
For more information on this project click on the case study link.
If you have any further questions or suggestions regarding other projects developed by EcoPlanet Energy,simply contact us: +55 (71)2626.3005 ou sac@ecoplanetenergy.com.
Sustainable office reduces energy costs after installing photovoltaic panels
As energy prices go up every month, bills become more expensive. However, there is a solution to use the sun’s energy and install a photovoltaic renewable energy solution EcoPlanet Energy.
The owners of a commercial building understood this and knew the empty space in the roof of their building could be used to reduce their energy and maintenance costs as well as increase the value of their property. The resulting solar system installed was the first in the tourist district of Barra, Salvador, the capital of the Braazilian state of Bahia.
“The dream of energy self-sufficiency is increasingly feasible now that investment in equipment for renewable microgeneration (photovoltaic panels, inverters, batteries, …) can be paid in a few years, making any person or company energy independent !” Highlights the director of EcoPlanet Energy.
The photovoltaic solar energy microgeneration system was installed to meet some of the demand consumed by the company. The system consists of 7 solar panels with a nominal rated power generation of 1.5 kW/h and deep cycle batteries for energy storage for times when there is no sun. The monthly power generation of this system is approximately 200 kWh per month.
According to the owner: “As the office has a small installed load requirement and the eletro-devices are with highly efficient rating, the system is being used with minimum energy need from the eletric utility company. Even with an air conditioner turned on during the hottest hours of the day, is exactly when we have intense sunlight and the system power generation is maximum to cover the consumption, which is just fine for us here.
The owner still adds: “In 2014 our actions are focused on the environment and those consumers focused on choosing to have a sustainable business.”
From Left to right: photo of office / The solar panels and the inverter and system protection panel.
For more information on this type of system installed visit: Our solutions or contact our team to request a quote
Solar power surging in Latin America with World Cup fever
When the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Brazil in June, China’s Yingli Solar will join brands such as Budweiser, McDonald’s and Johnson & Johnson – household names that usually sponsor international sporting events – and be the only Chinese and only renewable energy company sponsoring the games.
For Yingli, the world’s largest solar panel manufacturer, this move is surely not just to put their name out there in the world’s most widely watched sporting event. Like many Chinese firms, Yingli Solar, which established a Sao Paulo office in 2011, is one of many trying to tap into the renewable energy market in the Latin American region, where Chinese investment is on the rise.
Besides being a sponsor, the Baoding-based solar panel maker in late March announced that it will supply 1 megawatt (MW) of solar panels to Neoenergia Group, one of Brazil’s largest energy companies. The panels will deliver clean electricity to Arena Pernambuco, the site of five World Cup games, where the Yingli logo will also appear.
This landmark project is expected to generate more than 1,500 MWh of electricity annually, which is equivalent to about 6,000 Brazilians’ annual electricity consumption.
As Chinese investment in the Latin American region grows, the energy sector is emerging as a field that Chinese investors – solar companies in particular – can tap into and produce win-win results. Yingli’s partnership formed last year with Renova Energia, a Sao Paulo-based wind energy company, is one example.
“There are big opportunities to develop factories and export components to Brazil,” said Mathias Becker, CEO of Renova Energia on the sidelines of the Bloomberg New Energy Finance Summit last week in New York. “We just received the first panels from Yingli,” said Becker. “What’s really important for Chinese investors is to develop relationships with local players who understand the needs of the customers.”
Two advantages Chinese investors should take note of when investing in the solar business in Brazil, said Becker, are financing from the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and the good quality of silicon for the production of solar panels. “The whole supply chain has to be developed in Brazil,” said Becker. “It will be extremely beneficial for Chinese investors and Brazil.”
Jeffrey Barnett, vice-president of international sales of Yingli Green Energy Americas, said the company’s goal is to help the maturation of Latin America’s solar market by serving as a valuable resource to project developers.
“Because Yingli is committed to the success of the emerging Latin American market, we have invested in establishing local offices and operations, including local inventory in Brazil and Mexico, that simplify and expedite our customers’ procurement processes,” he said.
China is the world’s No 1 solar panel maker. The slowdown in the European market and high tariffs from the United States have made Chinese solar companies refocus their overseas strategies. Chinese companies are now moving into Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, where there is a rising demand for solar power.
Barnett, who manages business development throughout Central America, South America and the Caribbean, said the energy crisis that Brazil now faces has the potential to limit the nation’s fast-paced economic growth.
“By partnering with Renova and other leading Brazilian energy companies, we can help expand Brazil’s generating capacity, and fuel the economy’s further growth,” said Barnett.
Becker offers a Brazilian perspective, saying that China is “well-positioned” in Latin America’s solar business. Using Brazil as a steppingstone, “it can replicate the opportunities for Chile, Mexico and other countries”, said Becker.
Tomas Garcia, head of market development and strategy for Latin America at SunEdison, an American solar panel maker, said new opportunities for Chinese solar companies in Latin America also lie further along in the supply chain.
“There are a lot of very strong, successful Chinese solar companies. And now they are starting to develop and finance projects, moving on to the downstream part of the business,” Garcia said.
Yingli is working with Neoenergia Group to provide clean energy to Arena Pernambuco, the site of five World Cup games, where solar-generated electric power will be provided to the grid when the stadium is not in use.
Source: China daily Jornal, USA
Balotelli invests in solar energy to help young people in Bahia, Brazil
Without seeking attention, the Italian striker creates social project that aims to offer a chance of a profession to young people from poor communities of Salvador and Itabuna in Brazil.
The fame and money not only brought to life the controversial Mario Balotelli. but now Investor Angel of a social project that takes care of underprivileged children in the outskirts of Salvador, the Italian striker is now an owner of a solar company in Bahia.
The project is based on an opportunity to teach disadvantaged teens in areas of poverty in the state capital of Bahia and Itabuna. They are sent to electrician courses and solar pane fitters training, after which they are then hired by the Super Mario project.
He wants the boys to learn. That’s why he invested in this solar energy company. We’re taking these young people who cannot find jobs and giving them the opportunity to learn a new profession – explained the project coordinator of the “Mata Escura Rumo Novo” project, sponsored by Balotelli.
Conversation with Márcio Balotelli of Italy during training in Salvador (Photo: Carlos Ferrari)
The player, however, does not like to talk about it, according to a spokesperson for the Italian national team. The attacker is averse to interviews and only submits when he ends up being forced, as he happened to be named the best player of the match in the 2-1 victory over Mexico on Sunday, at Maracanã, the Confederations Cup debut.
Despite living in gossip columns and stories about life on and off the pitch, the number 9 shirt from Azzurra prefers to remain anonymous in helping children. His brother, Giovanni, is a great contributor towards the needs of the community.
Balotelli connection with Brazil is an old one. A Scout in his adolescence, the player visited the country in 2005 and first met the “Mata Escura Rumo Novo” project. From 2008, as he began to be more famous, he began to commit and collaborate more with the group.
According to the coordinator, the player not only injects money and collaborates in videos sharing his life experiences in time spent with the children, some of them abandoned.
The next counsel or advice to be given, incidentally, will be transmitted live, as the expectation is that he will pay a visit to the project during Italy’s passage through Salvador.
