Brazil Advances in Agrivoltaics with Innovative Projects
Brazil's agrivoltaic initiatives gain momentum with major pilot projects in Minas Gerais and Pará.
- • Cemig's project in Minas Gerais is the largest agrivoltaic system in Brazil.
- • CCampo Alimentos in Pará is successfully growing crops under solar panels.
- • Itaipu is testing a floating solar project in the Paraná reservoir.
- • These projects showcase innovative approaches to agriculture and energy generation.
Key details
Brazil is making strides in agrivoltaic systems, which integrate solar energy generation with agricultural practices, exemplified by two significant projects. Cemig is leading the construction of the country’s largest agrivoltaic system in Minas Gerais. This initiative will explore the cultivation of various crops, including melons and strawberries, along with cattle grazing underneath solar panels, targeting an average energy output of 75 kilowatts. Manuel Steidle from the Fraunhofer Institute noted the potential of such systems to improve crop yields and preserve soil conditions.
In Santarém, Pará, CCampo Alimentos has successfully tested growing vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers under solar panels, achieving profitability for small producers. However, challenges remain, such as managing water drainage, which affected green onions. Meanwhile, the innovative Ecolume project in Pernambuco integrates fish and poultry farming with solar energy, showcasing its benefits in combatting food and water insecurity in the region.
Additionally, Itaipu Binacional plans to launch a floating solar pilot project by the end of November on the Paraná River reservoir, with 1,500 photovoltaic panels set to generate 1 megawatt of energy. The project will assist in assessing the environmental and operational feasibility of floating solar technology. Rogério Meneghetti from Itaipu emphasized the project’s aim to derive insights that could influence future applications in Brazil and beyond.