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This article examines the potential for wind and solar energy generation in the state of Amapá, Brazil, using ERA5 data from between 1991 and 2020. Key metrics considered include wind power density, capacity factor, photovoltaic potential, and concentrated solar power output. Analyses revealed pronounced wind speeds offshore during summer and in continental regions during spring. Solar irradiance was notably higher in the spring. Differences in wind potential were observed between northern and southern offshore areas. Concentrated solar power efficiency and photovoltaic potential were influenced by location and cloud cover, respectively. Overall, summer presents the best offshore wind energy potential, while spring is optimal for onshore solar energy in Amapá. This study underscores the importance of understanding local climatic patterns when planning energy installations in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed generation, which is mainly deployed with PV systems that benefit economically prosumers, has soared in use in Brazil. Despite this, PV capacity in excess may cause technical issues which concern planning engineers who have adopted rules of thumb to screen interconnection requests without any detailed study. Recently, the hosting capacity concept has been employed to assess how much PV capacity a distribution grid can host without deteriorating grid parameters, reliability, or power quality. A steady-state and worst-case-based scenario was used to run deterministic power flow simulations to estimate the hosting capacity of a specific radial circuit at a campus of the University of São Paulo, referred to as "USP-105". Although the result may be not completely accurate, it was found that USP-105 can accommodate 103% of its peak load or 4970.6 kW of PV power, which reduced the circuit's annual peak load by 9%. Another finding was that hosting capacity increased when PV-DG deployment was dispersed along the circuit rather than concentrated on a single location (e.g., closest, or furthest to the substation). Utilities may therefore benefit from a simple and quick assessment to obtain an overview of how specific circuits behave on PV deployment and indicate which locations are technically more beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for charging electric vehicles using renewable energy sources and ensuring the stability of the electrical system has been growing. This has led to the development of charging stations that integrate photovoltaic systems, energy storage systems in batteries, and charging stations. The storage system allows for applications that increase the reliability of the electrical network. The objective of this work is to study, based on real operational scenarios, the impacts, and criteria of energy quality of a charging solution containing a photovoltaic system, a storage system, and a charging station. In the solution, the batteries are lead-carbon type and photovoltaics have priority in energy supply, using excess generation to charge the batteries. In this aspect, the work presents relevant contributions to the study of energy quality. An improvement in energy quality is pointed out with the use of batteries, proving that even in the most diverse operating situations, such as partial shading of the photovoltaic modules, with 20% shading relative to the nominal power, charging is not impacted and reductions in distortions are achieved, with a 50% reduction in voltage imbalance, when the storage system is a voltage reference and reference to the microgrid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substation (SS) auxiliary systems (SAux) are facilities responsible for hosting the alternating (AC) and direct current (DC) busbar to serve the equipment and systems that perform the substation's protection, control, and supervision. External and internal power supplies typically ensure the continuity of such a facility. The electricity support will be restricted to diesel emergency generators (DG) if the external power supply is unavailable due to a contingency. The DG present a slower response time and are susceptible to starting failures. Microgrids with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) paired with photovoltaic systems (PV) are presented as an innovative and reliable solution for powering the SAux. In this article, tests were carried out on the microgrid of the Edson Mororó Moura Institute of Technology (ITEMM) in Brazil to support the use of microgrids BESS/PV in the SAux of a transmission SS of the São Francisco Hydroelectric Company (Chesf). Without an external power supply, BESS commands the action of islanded operation, maintaining both voltage and frequency requirements of the microgrid without load shedding. It was possible to observe all operations of the microgrid. The experimental results showed that the solution proposed in the paper implements a dependable self-dispatchable autonomous power supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-voltage (LV) consumers are considered the main cause of loading the electrical systems during peak hours, hence increasing the expansion costs of the distribution system. To stimulate the efficient use of Brazilian electricity, the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) established a new tariff modality for low-voltage consumers, known as White Tariff, effective in Brazil since January 2018. The White Tariff is an hourly rate with three different time schedules throughout a day. In addition to this new tariff modality, ANEEL established the conditions for access to distributed micro-generation and mini-generation since 2012 through the Normative Resolutions No. 482 and No. 687 as a way of encouragement of the inclusion of distributed generation (DG) for the low-voltage consumers. In this sense, this article aims to present a methodology to analyze the implementation of the white tariff for photovoltaic and biomass DG by rural LV consumers. The methodology consists of carrying out simulations using the hybrid optimization model for electric renewables software including combinations to consider energy tariffs from different local utilities, load profiles of rural consumers within different consumption ranges, natural resources and distributed generation technologies. From that, it is possible to conclude that the resulting simulations were more satisfactory for the white tariff together with the DG biomass for consumption within ranges from 501 to 1000 and 1001 to 5000 kWh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Universities play an important role in the search for a sustainable environment. The challenge for universities is to outline models of a sustainable society and show their benefits, seeking the engagement of all. In this opportunity, the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), with support from CPFL Brazil (Local Electricity Distributor), created a project called "Sustainable Campus" in August 2017. The Sustainable Campus project encompasses several sub-projects which aim to enhance the sustainability of the university. Among the subprojects (SP) of Sustainable Campus, the subproject photovoltaic (PV) was designed to follow up on the construction and operation of 6 PV power plants gathering a power equivalent of 535.26 kWp. In this way, this work explores the initiatives of the Sustainable Campus project with a focus on PV plants. Thus, it is possible to validate the simulations carried out with the PV plants and verify the impact of the system on the university. For this, the simulator data were compared with the measurement of the PV plants. Assembling the information, it was possible to verify different behaviours in PV plants in a range of 5 km. Quantitatively, for a year of data collected, an actual energy generation of 784.29 MWh was observed, while the simulated result showed a total of 759.04 MWh. PV generation resulted in 1.13% of the energy consumed by the university due to the large size of the campus. Furthermore, as UNICAMP is a consumer that is in the free energy market model, the analysis of a possible financial return is presented. With an estimated payback of 7.65 years considering the average cost of R$ 4.64/Wp, which makes the system viable. Finally, the success of this project aims to bias other universities to deploy renewable energy sources, contributing to sustainable development and scaling the initiative to other sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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• Theoretical model for organic PV module P3HT:PCBM. • Experimental determination of equivalent circuit parameters of organic PV module. • Reduced dependence of V OC on module temperature observed. • Long-term tests performed using fixed voltage method for obtaining energy yield. In this work the behavior of an organic solar module operating under real solar radiation conditions is presented. This allows to understand which parameters limit the efficiency of an organic device and their underlying mechanisms. The characterization of a module, produced by CSEM Brasil, with active layer P3HT:PCBM, is based on instantaneous voltage and current curves, dark current curves and analysis of the module operating continuously with fixed voltage. This allows to extract the parameters of the equivalent circuit of the module, such as diode saturation current (I 0), series resistance (R S) and shunt resistance (R SH) as well as to understand the influence of different levels of radiation and temperature on such parameters. The work presented was performed by using a commercial organic solar module in extensive outdoor experiments. The results are based on continuous use and for several levels of radiation and temperature under real operating conditions in comparison with a theoretical model for the first time. With the continuous tests it was possible to demonstrate the average daily generation of the module in Wh/m2, and also to verify experimentally, that the module presents better efficiency for diffuse radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Simple georeferenced methodology for operating-efficiency solar potential presented. • Commercial efficiency and temperature coefficients for solar potential are analyzed. • Local ambient temperature, wind speed and irradiance are considered for efficiency. • Meteorological conditions are critical for countries solar power generation planning. • Cells, module types and installation are critical for regional solar potential analyses. Abstract The operating efficiency of photovoltaic solar cells depends on local meteorological conditions, varying significantly throughout large territories. As traditional solar potential maps present only solar resources, the impact of temperature on photovoltaic solar cells efficiency losses emerges as an important issue in the analysis of solar energy potentials. We developed an approach that accounts for temperature when determining solar energy potentials in large territories, using Brazil as a case study given its continental size, amplitude of meteorological conditions and high levels of solar irradiation. Our method is based on simple mathematical models for operating efficiency and temperature, applied to six commercial photovoltaic technologies in real local conditions and for distinct mounting arrangements. Results show that the real efficiency of photovoltaic solar cells can be reduced by up to 15% in the hottest hot-spot place, with much lower efficiency reduction values observed in places with more favorable operating conditions. Results also indicate that monocrystalline and thin film solar technologies are more appropriate for warmer locations. The method here developed can be easily applied to other regions of the globe and also to other commercial technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing application of renewable energy with accessible price and technology, together with Distributed Generation techniques came to bring a paradigm shift in the existing relations of distribution network in the past years. This work assesses the application of Distributed Generation by the consumer as a microgenerator – a “pro-sumer” - by usage of Photovoltaic generation. The presented methodology considers the financial and technical effects in the relations between the utility and the prosumer. The results shows that, even with the residential consumer providing the project and the installation of the PV generation, it is in the distribution framework that this relation is technical and commercially affected, as both the utility and residential microgenerators face the infeasibility of the project. The methodology is validated by an application showing that further regulating and market efforts are required in order to effectively disseminate cogeneration for residential consumers and explore their solar potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazilian electricity production is subject to considerable hydrological risks due to a large share of hydropower production. A long drought has caused a crisis in the electricity system in 2014 implying high operational costs and a high amount of carbon-intensive power production. A further expansion of the Brazilian electricity system is therefore necessary to guarantee security of supply, in particular when considering the projected growth in demand. We assess how high shares of renewable electricity production can be maintained in the Brazilian system, while reducing hydrological risks. We focus on a long-term perspective and simulate 36 years of renewable power production from meteorological data, assessing the statistical characteristics of different portfolios and, using an optimization model, balancing monthly supply and demand in different technological portfolios. The uncertainty in the operation of that portfolio is compared to a hydro-only scenario. Results indicate that adding both, solar PV and wind to the system, will decrease the need for thermal power backup and the risk of loss of load, as total variability of renewable supply decreases significantly in comparison to a scenario that adds only hydropower to the system. Solar PV has a slight advantage over wind power in decreasing supply risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil has to expand its power generation capacities due to significant projected growth of demand. The government aims at adding hydropower capacities in North–Brazil, additional to wind and thermal power generation. However, new hydropower may affect environmentally and socially sensitive areas in the Amazon region negatively while thermal power generation produces greenhouse gas emissions. We therefore assess how future greenhouse gas emissions from electricity production in Brazil can be minimized by optimizing the daily dispatch of photovoltaic (PV), wind, thermal, and hydropower plants. Using a simulation model, we additionally assess the risk of loss of load. Results indicate that at doubled demand in comparison to 2013, only 2% of power production has to be provided by thermal power. Existing reservoirs of hydropower are sufficient to balance variations in renewable electricity supply at an optimal mix of around 37% of PV, 9% of wind, and 50% of hydropower generation. In a hydro-thermal only scenario, the risk of deficit increases tenfold, and thermal power production four-fold. A sensitivity analysis shows that the choice of meteorological data sets used for simulating renewable production affects the choice of locations for PV and wind power plants, but does not significantly change the mix of technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy has been encouraged to address climate change and promote sustainable development, leading to structural changes in the national energy matrices. Brazil is reaching a 50/50 renewable/non-renewable energy mix. However, the wide variability in emissions intensity among renewable sources raises questions about the effectiveness of structural changes for SDGs. The present study aims to identify typological profiles (TPs) of structural changes in sectoral energy and carbon footprint and their contributions to sustainable development. From an ecological input-output model, we calculated the sectoral energy and carbon footprint for 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015. The method adds novelty by creating typologies of structural changes confronting renewable vs. non-renewable and mainly renewable vs. renewable. Four TPs of structural change were found. TP-I and TP-II tended to increase the relative share of renewables in their energy footprint, opposing TP-III and TP-IV. A controversy emerged contrasting TP-I and TP-II since both increased renewable consumption. TP-I decreased the renewable emissions while TP-II increased them. The explanation lies in the energy sources' emissions intensity. While TP-I sectors tended to increase the consumption of renewable energies with low intensity of emissions, such as electricity, TP-II sectors increased the consumption of renewables whose gross emissions intensity could be even higher than non-renewables. Therefore, the simple substitution of non-renewable for renewable sources may not be enough. Pursuing the long-term sustainable structural changes need to be planned based on renewable sources with the lowest net emission intensity and highest renewability. [Display omitted] • Replacing non-renewables with renewables may not be enough to achieve the SDGs. • Typological profiles (TPs) of structural changes may indicate the most effective strategies. • Effective pro-SDGs strategies move sectors from TP-IV, TP-III, and TP-II to TP-I. • Renewables with the lowest net emissions intensity and highest renewability are preferable. • Being renewable is not enough when the emission intensity is higher than non-renewables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Successful development of renewable energy technologies like solar photovoltaic energy (SPV) critically relies on its understanding and acceptance by consumers and institutional customers. Even in contexts of favorable support at the general level like in Brazil, their implementation faces multiple challenges, including low awareness, misperceptions, insufficient communication, and eco-labels' mixed record as information enhancing tools. This paper discusses how market research has been instrumental in developing the first SPV venture in Brazil, by identifying public's beliefs and level of support for alternative energies, and by testing reactions to a solar energy eco-label scheme proposed as key communication tool. The study indicates that expectations for return on investment are affected by a sustainability penalty, as well as by price and adaptation barriers. It also reveals an assessment gap between the concept and design of eco-label, which led to a new eco-label design capable of better addressing unfavorable beliefs, integrating expectations, and improving overall acceptance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A CO2 comprehensive balance within the life-cycle of a photovoltaic energy system requires careful examination of the CO2 sinks and sources at the locations and under the conditions of production of each component, during transport, installation and operation, as well as at the site of recycling. Calculations of the possible effect on CO2 reduction by PV energy systems may be incorrect if system borders are not set wide enough and remain on a national level, as can be found in the literature. For the examples of Brazil and Germany, the effective CO2 reductions have been derived, also considering possible interchange scenarios for production and operation of the PV systems considering the carbon dioxide intensity of the local electricity grids. In the case of Brazil also off-grid applications and the substitution of diesel generating sets by photovoltaics are examined: CO2 reduction may reach 26,805 kg/kWp in that case. Doing these calculations, the compositions of the local grids and their CO2 intensity at the time of PV grid injection have to be taken into account. Also possible changes of the generation fuel mix in the future have to be considered: During the operation time of a PV system, different kinds of power plants could be installed that might change the CO2 intensity of the grid. In the future also advanced technologies such as thin films have to be considered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In 2018 the number of people without access to electricity dropped to less than 1 billion. However, the difficulty of serving these people became higher, as the locations are in the most remote areas of the world. Brazil, for example, needs to bring electricity to around 1 million people who, in the vast majority, live within the Amazon region. In this way, hybrid energy systems (HESs) count as an attractive alternative for power generation, especially in remote areas. Therefore, this article analyzes a case study of a hybrid photovoltaic-diesel system installed in the Tapajós-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve in the Brazilian Amazon region. The studied plant is composed of a photovoltaic (PV) system, a lead-acid electrochemical battery bank, a diesel generator, and electro-electronic loads with highly variable demand throughout the year. The HOMER PRO software is used as the simulation tool. The results show that the load following dispatch strategy is the best option, with 85.6% of the load demand being supplied by PV energy and only 14.4% by the diesel generator set. As a result, the system is technically feasible to be replicated as a reliable energy source in other areas of the reserve to supply schools, public health places, and other community services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Future scenarios, based on interviews with relevant players, point to a strong role of the photovoltaic (PV) generation. • The majority of the Interviewees think that Brazil's energy governance should have more independence to set long-term policies. • Intermittent supply and costs allocation related to the integration of solar energy into the grid is perceived as a challenge. Brazil generates 160 GW of electric power and distributes it over a 10,000 Km transmission network. Its integrated model allows for optimization among generation sources and the regional use along a wide geographical extension covering the entire country. The recent inclusion inside the grid of renewable sources, such as wind and solar, has posed technical challenges related to the consequences of the intermittent supply and the related impact on cost allocation. Due to its size and structure, the Brazilian electricity market represents an investigation testbed of a potential global paradigm shift related to the growth of renewable sources in the grid alongside traditional ones. In this work, the connections among key-players of the electricity market were mapped and based on the resulting ecosystem chart, future scenarios were built using stakeholders' perceptions. Key actors in the electricity market were interviewed, and the two major uncertainties perceived were identified and used to create a two-driver matrix consisting of the country's development policies and electric energy policies. The four possible scenarios obtained from the matrix make evident the central role of photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation in shaping the market. Remarkably, the interviewees do not unanimously perceive climate change and its effects on local climate as a fact acknowledged by scientific evidence, thus raising concerns as to the impact of decision makers in the energy sector. This qualitative research investigating the electricity market aims to provide insights complementing available quantitative research results (which are often used to conduct investigations about electricity markets), thus offering a different view as to the drivers shaping the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of photovoltaic solar technology is increasingly widespread and consolidated worldwide, gaining significant interest in Brazil. Thanks to records of gradual photovoltaic system price decreases and the construction of legal frameworks favorable to their diffusion, urban and rural residential consumers, service companies, industries, and the government are progressively adhering to the use of this technology. In this context, it is important that institutions and companies with multiheadquarters discern whether it is more advantageous, from both a technical and economic point of view, to disperse photovoltaic systems throughout all of their headquarters or to centralize them in the offices presenting the best energy efficiency. The present study aims at answering this question. To this end, indicators recorded in the Institute of Education Science and Technology (IFRN)-Solar Project implemented by the Rio Grande do Norte Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology, in Brazil, where 2 MWp of photovoltaic solar energy are installed in 19 of its 22 headquarters, were evaluated. The PVWatts Software, energy measurements at the different plant installation locations and technical performance parameters recurrent in the literature, as well as the Discounted Payback Method were used herein. The results indicate that system centralization in the best-evaluated sites (7 campi) will, in 25 years, provide a 9.07% energy supply gain, a 112.96% financial gain, and a payback reduction of 8.9 years when compared to the alternative comprising generation unit dispersion throughout the 19 campi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decreasing upfront costs, governmental policies, and promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have provoked a sharp increase in the installed capacity of photovoltaic (PV) plants worldwide. In Brazil, PV plant installation has been growing since 2014, stimulated by the Ministry of Energy and Mines auctions dedicated to this technology. Net emissions vary depending on the emissions from the grid where PV plants are installed, and little is known about their actual payback times in tropical areas. This study calculates the carbon payback time of a 3.0 MWp PV power plant with a sensitivity analysis. We conclude that the PV plants installed in northeast Brazil are beneficial to climate change mitigation whether the PV module is mono-Si or poly-Si, manufactured abroad or not and, considering uncertainties about emissions from alternative technologies, especially hydropower. • Photovoltaic plant installed in northeast Brazil is beneficial to climate change mitigation. • Carbon payback time strongly depends on the energy matrix of the manufacturing country. • The hydropower emission uncertainty does not affect the benefits of the photovoltaic equipment. • The photovoltaic insertion is aligned with the country's national determined contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and use of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies worldwide is considered crucial towards fulfilling an increasing global energy demand and mitigating climate change. However, the potential of a solar PV-system is location specific, influenced by the local solar resource, energy demand and cost among other factors. The main aim of this study is to conduct a detailed assessment of the potential of solar PV-systems in residential buildings in Lagos Metropolitan Area, Nigeria. Nigeria has enormous solar energy potential, it is the most populous country in Africa and occupies a significant place in the development of Africa. Yet, it is a country with one of the lowest per capita electricity consumption in the world - at 149 kWh per capita for a population of about 170 million, about 7% of Brazil's and 3% of South Africa's. To achieve this goal, this study employed the survey of 150 residential buildings in three local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos State, Nigeria to obtain electric load data. HOMER Pro was used to size the PV-systems and to determine the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The computed energy results of the study for the base case scenario revealed the PV array, lead acid battery and the converter (inverter) of the PV-systems to be in the following range: 0.3-76 kW; 2 to 176  kWh; and 0.1-13.2 kW respectively. Economic analysis revealed a LCOE of the systems in the range of 0.398 USD/kWh to 0.743 USD/kWh. The use of PV-system generated electricity in the dwellings has potential for an annual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the range of 31.24 kgCO 2 eq to 7456.44 kgCO 2 eq. Clearly, the use of solar PV systems in residential buildings possesses potentials for enabling Nigeria to attain its climate change mitigation targets indicated in her Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)