Brazilian distributed generation projects are slated to grow 628.5 Megawatts (MW) in solar capacity during 2019, a growth of 125% in relation to 2018 according to Absolar, the trade association for the companies in the segment. Among the principal users of the technology is the agribusiness sector where the technology’s competitive advantages are beginning to be appreciated. An example in the state of Santa Catarina is Itaberry Frutas Finas, which since January has been generating sustainably almost all the electricity consumed in the activity.

Founded in 2012 in Itá, in the west of the state, Itaberry produces blueberries, mulberries and raspberries. The blueberry is known as the “long-life fruit”, given the antioxidant properties of its active ingredients. “Our project meets three objectives”, explains managing partner, Gleison Minella. “In addition to generating energy and attracting tourists, the covered area where the panels are located also serves to receive merchandize”. The company invested R$ 242 thousand in the solution and a further R$ 30 thousand in infrastructure and expects to recover the amount in less than five years. “The system is being very good for us and even in winter has generated a great deal of energy”, he says.

With 140 solar panels and an installed capacity of 58.86 kilowatts/peak (KWp), the system has a useful life of 25 years and at the end of this period can be expected to have generated savings of R$ 50 thousand. The electricity bill which averaged between R$ 4 thousand and R$ 4.5 thousand monthly fell by 90% with the installation of the system.  “We financed 100% of the investment and the monthly installment is less than the amount we were paying for the monthly light bill previously”, Minella declares. The project and installation were executed by ENGIE, one of the leading suppliers of photovoltaic systems in Brazil with more than 2,300 clients. In 2019, the company is planning to double its participation in the distributed generation market, its focus being the corporate and condominium segments.

Itaberry is located in an area of 13 hectares along the margins of the lake formed behind ENGIE’s Itá Hydroelectric Plant, an operation run in consortium with Cimentos Itambé and CSN. The proximity of the reservoir provides the project with two advantages: the thermal amplitude of the microclimate and the possibility of irrigating the plantations. The larger part of the energy consumed by the company is destined for processing and storage of fruits and for withdrawal of water from the reservoir for irrigation of the plants. Several managers in the agribusiness sector have visited the company to see the solution in practice – one which receives warm praise from the entrepreneur: “We are going to be very well served with electric energy for a good time to come”.

With the increasing numbers of visitors, Minella and the partners decided to open another company, Empório do Mirtilo, a store selling more than 30 derivative products such as fruit juices, ice creams, desserts, jams, liqueurs, and beers. During the harvest period between September and December, the property offers as an attraction “pick your own and pay”, a walk around the property where tourists can participate in the fruit harvest, eat the fruit direct from the tree or take it home.