{"id":57526,"date":"2020-01-22T10:00:51","date_gmt":"2020-01-22T13:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rioonwatch.org\/?p=57526"},"modified":"2021-11-24T10:46:29","modified_gmt":"2021-11-24T13:46:29","slug":"response-to-federal-proposal-harming-solar-in-brazil-from-40-organizations-developing-solar-energy-in-rio-favelas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=57526","title":{"rendered":"Letter Defends Microgeneration of Solar Energy in Rio de Janeiro Favelas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The following letter, sent December 30, 2019 by civil society organizations in Rio de Janeiro dedicated to the expansion of solar energy<\/strong> in low-income communities in the city, is a response to Public Consultation 25 of 2019, concerning a solar energy tax proposed by Brazil’s National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL).<\/em><\/p>\n

Contribution sent<\/a> to ANEEL, in response to Public Consultation 25 of 2019<\/a>, concerning a revision of Normative Resolution 482 of 2012<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The following institutions have signed the present document:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Catalytic Communities<\/a> (CatComm)\/Sustainable Favela Network<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Revolusolar<\/a> (in Babil\u00f4nia<\/a> and Chap\u00e9u Mangueira<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  3. Insolar<\/a> (in Santa Marta<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  4. Engineers Without Borders – Rio de Janeiro<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Favelas Observatory<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Mar\u00e9 Development Networks<\/a> (in Mar\u00e9)<\/li>\n
  7. Bi\u00e1 Artistic Productions<\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Gol de Letra Foundation<\/a><\/li>\n
  9. SER Alzira de Aleluia<\/a>\u00a0(in Vidigal<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  10. Solarize Treinamentos Profissionais Ltda<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  11. Beira Pica-Pau Community<\/a> (in Cordovil)<\/li>\n
  12. Indiana Tijuca Residents’ Commission<\/a><\/li>\n
  13. ReciclA\u00e7\u00e3o<\/a>\u00a0(in Morro dos Prazeres<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  14. Movimento Papo Limpo<\/a> (in Vila Parque da Cidade<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  15. Cine & Rock<\/a> (in Rio das Pedras<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  16. Sepetiba Ecomuseum<\/a><\/li>\n
  17. Catholic Church Pastoral Committee on the Environment<\/a><\/li>\n
  18. EcoCasa Silvestre<\/a><\/li>\n
  19. ADACI Brazil<\/li>\n
  20. Camorim Quilombo<\/a><\/li>\n
  21. Terra Una<\/a><\/li>\n
  22. Environment in Movement Institute<\/a><\/li>\n
  23. Horto Residents’ Association<\/a><\/li>\n
  24. Horto Museum<\/a><\/li>\n
  25. Upgrade Engenharia<\/a><\/li>\n
  26. Engenhar Brasil Association<\/a><\/li>\n
  27. Minhoc\u00e1rio Arboreum<\/a><\/li>\n
  28. Casa Museu Rancho Verde<\/a><\/li>\n
  29. Catholic Church Pastoral Committee on Favelas<\/a><\/li>\n
  30. Vale Encantado Cooperative<\/a><\/li>\n
  31. Harmonicanto Music and Citizenship Association<\/a> (in Cantagalo<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  32. RONGO<\/a>\u00a0(in Pavuna<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  33. Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Social Beneficente Humanit\u00e1ria<\/a> (in Vidigal)<\/li>\n
  34. Onda Verde<\/a>\u00a0(in Nova Igua\u00e7u<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  35. Favela Museum<\/a> (in Cantagalo)<\/li>\n
  36. Transvida Cooperative<\/a> (in Complexo da Penha<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  37. SOS Jardim Gramacho Movement<\/a><\/li>\n
  38. Association of Women with Attitude and Social Commitment (Amac)<\/a><\/li>\n
  39. Lata Doida Cultural Group<\/a> (in Realengo<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  40. Ba\u00eda Viva Movement<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    1. Objective<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    ANEEL opened Public Consultation 25 of 2019, proposing changes in the regulation for distributed generation in Brazil. Below are commentaries contributed by various organizations that work with low-income populations in the area of social impact. The purpose of this document is to inform ANEEL about the unintended impacts of its proposal.<\/p>\n

    2. The Moment of Distributed Generation Dissemination<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Like any technology, solar energy began its spread in Brazil with elevated prices. It was accessible only to pioneers with the capacity and will to invest in extremely long-term financial returns. The situation changed completely when prices began to decrease. Returns on investment fell, and banks began to offer facilitated credit: those who install solar energy today are able to pay the cost of installation with the saved value on their energy bills. Equity became unnecessary for those who were able to receive approval for lines of financing. Thus, it became possible for a large portion of the Brazilian population to have access to solar energy. The technology began to disseminate democratically around the country. The figure below shows the strong growth of very small installations, with power up to 3 Kilowatts.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a>
    Number of distributed energy systems possessing up to 3kW of output<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    3. Benefits of Distributed Generation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    For households, the direct benefit of distributed generation is the reduction in energy costs and a subsequent increase in the net household income for the system owner. This is an addition which, certainly, will be spent on additional consumption in businesses and services in the vicinity, health measures, or housing improvements. The businesses that reduce their costs through solar energy can reduce the prices they charge to customers. In this manner, the financial benefit provided by solar energy installations is redistributed: what previously was revenue for energy distribution companies now circulates throughout the country\u2019s economy, generating prosperity for businesses and new jobs in various sectors. Solar energy system installation itself generates jobs\u2014<\/strong>up to 100,000 around the country. This is an important step in combatting unemployment, which remains high throughout Brazil.<\/p>\n

    4. The Impact of ANEEL\u2019s Proposal on Families<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    In Distributed Generation, energy that is not utilized immediately is injected into the utility grid. It is this energy that would, under ANEEL\u2019s proposal, be subject to sectorial charges of up to 63% of injected energy. In other words, only 37% of injected energy would actually be returned to the owner.<\/p>\n

    This proposal overtaxes families that, in large part, are absent from their homes when the sun generates energy, and thus, must re-inject the large part of the energy they generate. ANEEL does not justify why these families, in the future, should bear more of the cost from the energy sector than consumers who use the electricity immediately. A simulation of a system for a simple residence (with 3KW of power, and a concurrency factor of 30%) shows that the monthly savings could fall by 44% under the proposed rules. The new charges would equal R$1,338 (US$320) over a year\u2014<\/strong>a significant decrease in household income.<\/p>\n

    The same burden will be applied to remote generation, which is how residents of apartments take advantage of clean energy. This is because, generally, they do not have space on their terraces and roofs to generate energy. Under the current proposal, remote generation will become inviable. We note a lack of analysis of the impacts of this regulation on different classes of consumers, and, for this reason, we consider the study incomplete and unfair.<\/p>\n

    5. Distributed Generation in Favelas<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    A series of pilot projects are introducing distributed solar generation in Rio de Janeiro favelas. These projects have various objectives:<\/p>\n