Solar energy costs eight times less than thermal power plant, says WWF Brasil
WWF Brasil proposes a gradual transition from the thermal power model to the photovoltaics
A study released Monday (Sep. 28) by the environmental NGO WWF Brasil indicates that replacing the emergency power systems supplied by thermal power plants to the power supplied by solar energy could result in savings of $37.41 billion to the country, over five years.
"To replace the thermal power plants to the distributed solar photovoltaics generation seems to be quite feasible and would cost eight times less. Even considering the scenario in which, after five years, the reservoirs reach the safe level and we overcome the water crisis for the next 20 years, the country would make an economy of $ 37.41 billion [with the change],"
reports the study.
WWF Brasil proposes a gradual transition from the thermal power model to the photovoltaics, reducing the amount currently spent on power plants and increasing investment in photovoltaics for five years. The goal for the photovoltaic production is to reach 40 terawatt/hour (TWh) per year after this period, the same amount currently produced by the thermal power generator.
"The government has created many economic incentives for thermal power. We propose to make a gradual transition to solar energy as an additional source for hydroelectric power, keeping the thermal reserves, but not operating them throughout the whole year as it is now," said André Nahur, head of WWF Climate Change and Energy.
To reclace the thermal power to photovoltaic, however, the country still has to surmount the obstacle of lack of investment. According to Nahur, countries that are making this transition—like Germany, Japan and Italy—have special lines of credit for solar energy of about 6% per year. In Brazil, the credit for this purpose is short-term and designed for large projects.
Translated by Amarílis Anchieta
Fonte: Solar energy costs eight times less than thermal power plant, says WWF Brasil
