In a pioneering initiative in Brazil, the State of Santa Catarina Industries Federation (FIESC) is joining two of the largest energy companies in the country, ENGIE and WEG, to launch next Friday (27) at 10:30 a.m. the Solar Industry Program. The aim of the project is to incentivize the use of solar energy by the more than 50 thousand industries in the state, helping to construct a more sustainable future and to render the state’s productive sector more modern, efficient and competitive.

The Solar Industry Program is divided into phases, the first consisting of a pilot project which will offer residential photovoltaic systems with advantageous conditions to employees of FIESC, ENGIE, WEG, SESI, SENAI, IEL, CECRED and CELESC. Participants will have access to lines of finance at lower than market interest rates as well as differentiated prices. Enrollments for this stage will begin on November 20.

For the following phase planned for 2018, it will be the turn of employees of other companies in the state to take part. And subsequently it will be the industries themselves that will be the beneficiaries.

Even at this pilot stage, the program is notable by its dimensions. FIESC, ENGIE, WEG, SESI, SENAI, IEL, CECRED and CELESC employ more than 40 thousand and if only 10% of these sign up to the Program, that will mean four thousand new photovoltaic systems coming on stream in Brazil. By comparison the most recent data from the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) show the entire country has only 16 thousand photovoltaic systems connected to the electricity distribution network.

The Solar Industry Program will also have the support of CELESC, BRDE, BADESC and CECRED.

How the technology works

A photovoltaic solar energy system, also known as a solar energy system or again, a photovoltaic system, generates electricity from solar radiation. Normally installed on rooftops, the technology is the most disseminated on the planet for the distributed microgeneration of clean and renewable energy.

Households and companies with these systems produce their own energy which they consume, any surplus being transferred to the electricity distribution network and transformed into credits with the Distributor. These credits have a five-year validity and are used when the unit is consuming more energy than is being generated such as on rainy days or at night.

About those involved:

FIESC

The State of Santa Catarina Industries Federation (FIESC) works in synergy with initiatives created to promote a favorable environment for businesses and to stimulate innovation. Maintained and run by the industrial sector based on the same parameters as the best private sector companies, FIESC forms one of the foundations of industrial competitiveness in the state of Santa Catarina.

ENGIE

The largest electric energy generator in the country, ENGIE currently operates out of 32 plants throughout Brazil, 90% of the company’s installed capacity coming from clean and renewable sources. The group also offers solutions for commercialization of energy and electrical efficiency as well as services related to engineering and integration of systems.

WEG

Santa Catarina-based WEG is one of the largest manufacturers of electrical equipment in the world. With a broad-based line of products, the company strives always for efficiency in its operations, reduction of costs and increased productivity, offering these products to its customers supported by these same values. Among its missions is innovation and to grow continuously and sustainably.