The proportion of power generation systems using solar panels reached 16.3% of the electrical array at the beginning of this year, but according to distributors, those who pay the bill for this expansion are consumers who do not have the money to install photovoltaic panels on the roofs of their homes.
According to Absolar (Brazilian Solar Photovoltaic Association), since 2012, the solar energy source has attracted more than R$179.5 billion in investments and generated R$50.3 billion in taxes to the public treasury.
Despite its consolidation, the sector has managed to guarantee subsidies, which will be gradually reduced until 2028. These incentives, according to Aneel (National Electric Energy Agency), total R$81 billion in distributed generation alone.
However, distributors complain about the high bill for consumers who do not switch to solar panels and continue to use electrical wires.
This is because the costs of maintaining the national electricity system are the same, but with fewer payers.
Mass escape
Major distributors’ calculations indicate that this year households with solar panels will be paid R$70 per megawatt hour (MWh) – an amount that indicates homes (or businesses) are connected to the system so that the generated energy can be generated. (Deducting the bill at the end of the month if generation is more than consumption) has been entered.
Meanwhile, other consumers will be charged a fee, according to calculations, of R$480 per MWh.
Also according to distributor forecasts, in 2028, this ratio will amount to R$235 per MWh for users of solar energy sources, compared to R$490 per MWh for other consumers.
the other side
Absolar disputes this and says distributors only consider the costs and not the benefits of distributed generation.
The entity has hired a consulting firm, which states that there is a net balance between costs and benefits, which would ultimately lead to a reduction in Brazilian electricity bills of about R$85 billion by 2031.
Instead of a cost increase of R$480 per MWh, as the distributors indicate, there will be a reduction of R$403.90 per MWh, at an average residential tariff of R$729 per MWh.
This is because, depending on the entity, when generating power in the system, distributed generators compensate for power production from more expensive sources, such as thermal and nuclear. There will also be a decline in investments in transmission lines.
The legislation delegated to Anil the task of doing the calculations to find out who was ultimately right. This work was supposed to be delivered a year ago, but it is still ongoing.
com Diego Felix
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(tags for translation)sustainability
