Lights, camera and solar energy!
From December, the city of Itajubá, located along the edge of the Mantiqueira Mountain Range, in the south of the state of Minas Gerais, will enjoy the benefits of a cinema powered by photovoltaic solar energy. Cine A Itajubá is a spacious complex with four exhibition halls, a capacity to receive up to 700 movie goers, as well as two restaurants, open air fitness center, a space to practice yoga, slackline, meditation and dancing.
The project and installation of ENGIE, the photovoltaic system comprises 450 modules, either located on the rooftop of the parking lot (carport type) and a ground level installation. The system is expected to satisfy the complex’s entire demand. At an investment of R$ 661 thousand, the project is to provide annual savings of about R$ 150 thousand and an estimated return at between three and four years. “This is a pioneering project in the entertainment segment of which ENGIE is proud to be a part”, says Rodrigo Kimura, executive director for photovoltaic solutions at ENGIE. “In addition to contributing to a more sustainable future for the planet, the photovoltaic system makes for immediate savings in the monthly energy bill, rendering the investment self-financing”, he concludes.
The city of Itajubá has a population of 97 thousand (IBGE, 2017) and the energy generated from the photovoltaic plant is sufficient to supply 152 homes in Itajubá, based on an average Brazilian household consumption of 157 KWh per month.
Green building
The total investment is R$ 14 million and includes a series of initiatives enabling the project to obtain certification from LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), an international entity which classifies buildings using renewable energy and other prerequisites of sustainability and design. In addition to the photovoltaic plant, the cinema has both a system for capturing rainwater with the capacity to supply 50% of the complex’s consumption and also a service for collecting electronic trash – cinema patrons can bring their used electronic devices for correct disposal. The use of alternative means of transportation is also stimulated with bike parks and charging facilities for electric cars.
“Movie buffs need more street-side cinemas. The world needs more social actions and intelligent constructions. This is our proposal with the construction of this modern, innovative and self-sustaining complex. Together, let’s build a clean place, rich in culture and full of emotion”, says Silvio Gutierris, Rede Cine A’s director, who in addition to Minas Gerais, also owns cinemas in the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Pará.
ENGIE is leader in the distributed solar generation market, chalking up more than 2,000 systems already installed. The company is a major operator in residential and corporate photovoltaic systems with important projects in agribusiness and the industrial métier in the pipeline. A highlight is the Solar Industrial Program which is being implemented by ENGIE and the federations of industries in the states of Santa Catarina (FIESC), Mato Grosso (FIEMT) and Rio Grande do Sul (FIERGS).
How it works
The photovoltaic panels at Itajubá’s Cine A are installed both at ground level and on the rooftop over the parking lot. The sun’s rays on the components of the photovoltaic cells generate a continuous electric current. This current is transferred to an inverter which converts into an alternate current, enabling the complex’s electrical equipment to be powered. When the system is generating more energy than is being consumed, the excess is injected into the network and transformed into credits with the power concessionaire. This surplus will then be used automatically in periods when there is no generation such as at nighttime and during rainy days. The systems are readily installed, with no major works and constructions required. What is needed is an area free of shade and where there is a rooftop which this must be north facing. Solar panels have a low maintenance cost and a durability of 25 years.
ABOUT ENGIE
ENGIE is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. With its 97,000 employees, its customers, partners and stakeholders, the Group is committed to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. Inspired by its purpose (“raison d’être”), ENGIE reconciles economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers. Turnover in 2022: 82.6 billion Euros.
In Brazil, ENGIE, leader in 100% renewable power generation in the country, operates in generation, commercialization and transmission of electric power, gas transport and energy solutions. The Company
has in the country an installed capacity of 12,5 GW, originated from renewable sources and with low GHG emissions, such as hydro, solar and biomass power plants, and windfarms.
With the acquisition of Transportadora Associada de Gás – TAG, ENGIE now also owns the largest natural gas transportation network in the country, at 4,500 km and transecting 10 states and 191 cities.
The Group has a complete portfolio of integrated solutions focused on reducing costs and improving the infrastructure for companies and cities, such as energy efficiency, public lighting, energy monitoring and management.
With 2,800 employees, ENGIE’s turnover in Brazil in 2023 was of R$ 11.7 billion. ENGIE trades on the B3 through its energy generation and trading company, ENGIE Brasil Energia, under the ticker EGIE3. In addition to being a B3 Novo Mercado component, the Company is one of the very few companies that have been listed in the Business Sustainability Index since its creation in 2005. In 2021, ENGIE Brasil Energia was included in the Carbon-Efficient Index (ICO2), made up of IBrX 100 companies that are most transparent in terms of GHG emissions reporting and how they are preparing for a low-carbon economy.
The company also received in May 2024 the certification Great Place to Work, a recognition which validates the continuous commitment of the company to create a positive and inclusive work environment for all.
The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40, Euronext 100, FTSE Euro 100, MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World, Euronext Vigeo Eiris – Europe 120/France 20, MSCI EMU ESG screened, MSCI EUROPE ESG Universal Select, Stoxx Europe 600 ESG-X).