Deployment of photovoltaics in Brazil: Scenarios, perspectives and policies for low-income housing

• Presents conditions, perspectives and scenarios for using solar energy in Brazilian social housing programs.
• Discusses pertinent economic, social and environmental issues in Brazil.
• Calculates productivity and economic feasibility for Brazilian solar irradiation zones.

Solar irradiation in Brazil is favorable for electricity generation, yet this energy source represents less than 0.1% of the Brazilian energy matrix. This article presents photovoltaic solar panels as an important alternative in the context of the Brazilian energy crisis. Solar irradiations levels were considered to calculate the number of solar panels necessary to supply the average electricity demand of social housing programs. A scenario approach and an OFAT sensitivity analysis were used to evaluate feasibility (IRR, NPV, cash flow and payback) based on existing electricity charging policies and usual long-term financing plans for social housing programs. The results for all the proposed scenarios indicate that photovoltaics are an environmentally and economically feasible alternative. Deploying between four to seven 217 W photovoltaic panels onto each house would meet the needs of all solar irradiation zones considered, making dwellers significantly less dependent on the grid and capable of up to 47% grid feedback for up to 30 years. Finally, feed-in tariff policies and a trust fund for maintenance and reinvestment costs are suggested in order to stimulate the use of photovoltaics as a sustainable alternative.