Net Metering in Brazil

Introduction

Currently, solar energy plays just a marginal role in Brazil’s energy supply. The almost endless solar resources have no market for small scale solar systems. However, the new Net Metering regulation 482/2012, introduced by the Brazilian electricity sector regulatory body (Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica, ANEEL), has finally opened the doors to tap a vast potential for decentralized small scale electricity generation up to 1 MW. It is a big step for Brazil´s renewable energy sector and great opportunities for German technologies in the Brazilian market. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supported ANEEL to develop and implement the Net Metering regulation. Further to this, the IDEAL Institute (Instituto para o Desenvolvimento de energias alternativas na América Latina) and the Brazilian Association for Solar Photovoltaica Energy (ABSOLAR - Associação Brasileira de Energia Solar Fotovoltaica) are promoting and disseminating the use of solar PV in Brazil.

Articles

From the first solar-powered stadium in Latin America to PV Business for everybody (2013)

Vom ersten Solarstadion Lateinamerikas zum brasilianischen Net Metering (2013)
In 2012, the first Brazilian photovoltaics pilot project, the solar-powered stadium Pituaçu in Bahia state was inaugurated. It was implemented by the local energy provider COELBA and supported by GIZ. This successful venture established further progress to increase the share of photovoltaic-generated electricity in the Brazilian energy system. Consequently, ANEEL introduced a Net Metering system within a new regulation for decentralized small scale electricity generators up to 1 MW.

PV businesses up to 1 MW under Brazils new Net Metering rules (2013)
Net Metering in Brasilien - Wirtschaflichkeit PV für Haushalte und Gewerbe (2013)
This paper assesses the profitability of decentralised electricity generation within the Brazilian housing and commercial sectors using the example of photovoltaics in the context of the introduction of the Net Metering system. The analysis is limited to the low-voltage level, since it has by far the highest retail tariffs.

Net Metering in Brazil - Results after one year - Net Metering in Brasilien - Bilanz nach einem Jahr (2014)
The article gives a review of the progress of the Brazilian Net Metering system after approximately one year since its introduction (12/2012). Trends and challenges to new grid connections as well as funding and incentivizing measures are important issues referring to this.

Fact- & Infosheets

Pituaçu Solar - The first solar stadium in Brazil - Pituaçu Solar - Das erste Solarstadion Brasiliens (2012)
In the course of football world cup 2014, the idea to utilise public´s attention in Brazil to introduce catchpenny photovoltaic projects through football was born. Shortly after, the Brazilian energy supplier COELBA supported by GIZ introduced a pilot project to build the first Brazilian solar stadium Pituaçu, with a capacity of 400 kWp. Financed by the Brazilian Energy Efficiency Program (PEE), the German-Brazilian EPC Gehrlicher Ecoluz Solar realized the installation of the system. This project led to investments of 2 Mil. Euro from the Brazilian private sector, applying 60.000 Euro of German public tax resources for the project.

Unbureaucratic Net Metering for decentralized electricity generation in Brazil - Unbürokratisches Net Metering für dezentrale Stromerzeugung in Brasilien (2013)
Reduce administrative barriers to make grid connection of decentralized renewable energy generators viable – that was one aim of ANEEL and GIZ within the German Cooperation for Sustainable Development to achieve sustainable energy use in Brazil. Within this fruitful partnership, ANEEL used its regulatory competence to reduce bureaucratization of grid connection, enabling small electricity producers by resolution 482/2012. GIZ advised ANEEL on technical and administrative aspects of the introduction of a Net Metering system and organized trainings and technical visits.

Solar pilot project Megawatt Solar - Solarpilotprojekt Megawatt Solar (2014)

In May 2014, another solar energy pilot project supported by the GIZ entered in operation: the 1 MWp photovoltaic system on the rooftop of the energy provider Eletrobras Eletrosul’s head office in Florianópolis. The project’s aim is to raise public awareness for Net Metering and Photovoltaics and to train relevant local actors in the field of decentralized power generation. GIZ thus offered technical expertise on the installation of the system as well as marketing of the produced electricity. An effective measure therefore was the commercialization of the electricity through the Solar Label, an initiative introduced by IDEAL Institute.

Strategic PV research and development project in Brazil - Strategisches Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojekt Photovoltaik in Brasilien (2014)
Primeiro programa de incentivo à energia fotovoltaica (2014)
To amplify and diversify the application of financial resources of the ANEEL’s Research & Development Program for renewable energy projects, ANEEL created the Strategical R&D Photovoltaic Project. Since 2011,GIZ support ANEEL in developing a tender that encouraged energy companies to apply their R&D resources on commercial solar generation plants up to 3 MWp. Thus this measure could significantly improve spending on research and development of renewable energies in Brazil. 18 Photovoltaic projects has since been approved by ANEEL, some of them, for example the world cup solar stadiums Recife, are already realized involving huge private investment. Through the Strategical R&D Photovoltaic Project, 165.000 Euro of German spending led to 100 Mio. Euro Brazilian investment.

Maracanã Solar - Solar electricity for the football world cup 2014 - Maracanã Solar - Solarstrom für die WM 2014 (2014)
The worldwide famous Maracanã-Stadium in Rio de Janeiro was equipped with solar panels within the efforts of linking the football world cup 2014 to the promotion of solar energy. Therefore, the GIZ supported LightESCO, an Energy Service Company owned by local energy provider Light, during the conception of a PV power plant on the rooftop of Maracanã. With 390 kWp, it is the most powerful PV system in Rio de Janeiro state, and a main driver to leverage Net Metering in Brazil. The success of this project motivated Light to kickstart further PV projects in the region, also with German private sector engagement.

Solar Energy for Fernando de Noronha island - Erneuerbare Energien und Energieeffizienz - Solarenergie für Fernando de Noronha (2015)
The Brazilian island Fernando de Noronha is a nature paradise and conservancy unit – good reasons to seek for clean energy solutions in order to substitute the presently prevalent thermo-electric power generation with biodiesel generators. GIZ therefore supported the first PV pilot project on Fernando de Noronha, incentivized by the Brazilian Energy Efficiency Program (PEE) and executed by the energy provider CELPE with an investment sum of five Mio. BRL (aprox. 1.7 Mio. EUR). The PV power plant Fernando de Noronha I, which has an installed capacity of 400 kWp, can already cover four percent of the islands´ electricity demand; its successful implementation led to the construction of a second PV power plant on the sunny island.

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Net Metering

Preparation

Brazilian Atlas of Solar Energy (2006)

The Brazilian Solar Energy Atlas includes maps and digital data of various solar radiation components as well as detailed infrastructure and socio-economic parameters. The resulting database is compatible with the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and therefore may be easily employed in feasibility studies during renewable energy project development. After analysing the temporal and spatial variations and trends of solar energy resources, the atlas presents some solar energy scenarios for Brazil.

Survey of the Electricity Market in Brazil focusing on Distributed Generation (2011)
Estudo sobre o Mercado de Energia Elétrica no Brasil focando na Geração Distribuída (2011)
In Brazil, electricity must be traded in one of two environments of the market, the Regulated Contracting Environment – ACR and the Free Contracting Environment – ACL. This report describes the main characteristics of the two market environments, with the purpose of assessing the possibility of implementing distributed power generation in Brazil through photovoltaic projects. It also indicates the states that are already offering tariff parity. Another conclusion is that in the Brazilian scenario, the metering system in the net-metering mode is more feasible than the feed-in tariff model.

Challenges and Opportunities of the integration of new consumers and decentralized power plants (2009)
The main objective of this study is to inform about the current regulations, standards, as well as control and measurement methods of reactive power and power factor applied in Europe. Furthermore, it describes interrelated challenges of and opportunities for the integration of new consumer groups and decentralized renewable energy based power generation.

Implementation of small grid connected decentralized power generators in Brazil (2010)
Implementação de geradores de energia descentralizados no Brasil ligados a uma pequena rede (2010)
This article gives an overview on the renewable energy support policies - Feed-in tariffs and Net Metering - analyzing their legal framework in Germany. It subsequently develops perspectives for Net Metering in Brazil. Further attention is paid on the impact of decentralized generation on load curves and distribution infrastructure.

International Procedures for the Connection of Small Distributed Generators to the Power Grid (2011)
To help ANEEL developing the legal procedures for decentralized distributed generation, this study addresses the legislation in Germany and Italy as reference countries with sharp increase of decentralized power generation plants up to 1 MW, in particular from renewable energies, in the recent years. It gives an overview of the relevant energy law provisions and, in this context, existing contracts between energy operators and grid operators for the interconnection of small distributed power generation plants.

Standards for the Connection of Small Distributed Generators to the Power Grid (2011)
Legal-administrative barriers for the connection of small distributed generators led in the past to negative impacts on the implementation of decentralized generation in terms of longer project durations, higher costs, longer waiting times and more demanding labor requirements. The comparison and assessment of different international technical standards for interconnecting of small distributed generation units to the public grid in the European countries (Germany, Italy and Spain) and the United States of America, thus, allows to derive recommendations for a simplified connection procedure in coherence with Net Metering in Brazil.

Regulatory Framework for the Interconnection of Costumer-Generators and its Barriers (2011)
The former status quo of the proceedings in costumer-generation projects before the introduction of Net Metering in Brazil did not allow the injection of electricity from distributed generation in the grid. Hence, the missing regulatory incorporation of distributed generation respective costumer generation is the fundamental barrier for its diffusion. To achieve the simplification of the connection procedure for costumer-generation, interconnection barriers resulting from regulatory obstacles in Brazil are identified as well as an overview to the development of PV in Brazil and the regulatory framework, rules and proceedings for interconnection of distributed generation is given.The aim is to enable interconnect despite the interconnection barriers and develop attempts on the introduction of incentive schemes within the legal framework.

Consequences on Grid Operation by Decentralized Renewable Power Generators (2011)

In Germany, lately some developments with respect to renewable power generation and its connection to the different voltage levels occurred. Due to the enormous increase of such installations and the fact that renewable power generation units so far have been considered more or less as “negative loads”, but without consideration of their capabilities to act in the same way as conventional power plants, certain problems arose. This report identifies these problems and discusses the policy measures to address them.

Survey about electricity prices of consumers in the commerce and small industry- Pesquisa relacionada aos consumidores B3 no Brasil (2012)
To get to know the behaviour of consumer groups is important for the process of tariff revision or the calculation of marginal costs calculation and the basis tariff related to distributed generation. Therefore, it is important to understand the methodology used to calculate the yearly average electricity consumption of the Brazilian consumer group B3 (commercial and small industry).

Mapping methodology to determine the potential area of residential rooftops for PV in Brasil - Metodologia de mapeamento da área potencial de telhados residenciais para PV no Brasil (2012)
To amplify the use of small scale energy generators, this study develops a methodology to estimate and map the potential of residential housing rooftops for electricity and heat generation produced by photovoltaic panels and solar collectors. The methodology regards aspects of the country-specific sun irradiation, total rooftop area and areas improper for use.

Manual for capacity building with the software GIS: Information Systems- Manual de Capacitação GIS: Sistemas de Informação
Geography and application of solar mapping in Brazil- Geográfica e Aplicações no Mapeamento Solar no Brasil (2012)
This training manual shows how to use the geographical information system GIS in order to map the potential of residential rooftops for electricity and heat generation. It gives instructions over the general use of GIS and the mapping software ArcGIS. Subsequently, the manual describes the use of ArcGIS to identify sun irradiation potentials.

ANEEL Chamada 013 - Arranjos técnicos e comerciais para inseração da geração solar fotovoltaica na matriz energética brasileira

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Dissemination / Spreading

Resolutions

The resolution 482/2012 adopted by  ANEEL is the regulatory base for Net Metering for distributed generation in Brazil.

• Resolução ANEEL Net Metering 482/2012
  
• Regulierung Net Metering Nr. 482 der Nationalen Energieagentur ANEEL in Brasilien (2013)
• Verfahrensregeln zur Stromversorgung im nationalen Stromnetz PRODIST (2013)

Dissemination Projects

America do Sol Project
The German Cooperation for Sustainable Development supports the IDEAL Institute to promote and disseminate renewable energy use. Important progress could be achieved through the project America do Sol, which offers information, educational material and online tools on solar energy, photovoltaics and Net Metering.

Educational maual "How can I have solar electricity in my home?" - Cartilha "Como faço para ter electricidade solar na minha casa?" (2012)
This Manual explains in a simplified and illustrated manner all steps to connect a mini or micro generator. It shows how to calculate the financial benefits of distributed solar generation to its user and describes how to request grid connecting at the distribution company.

Advantages of residential solar energy- Benefícios da Energia Solar Residencial (2015)

This manual explains in a simple manner for education purposes everything about residential solar PV: The benefits of residential solar PV, best ways to take advantage of the net-metering system and also has a FAC questions of solar PV in Brazil.

Educational manual solar electricity- Cartilha Eletricidade Solar
The Ideal Institute officially launched an educational manual on Solar Electricity. It aims to inform institutions, schools, media, business and public utility suppliers on the use of small decentralized photovoltaic systems. The manual can be sent to the institutions and can be reprinted and distributed by the institutions themselves to their customers.

Solar Fund (Fundo Solar) This Partnership of the Ideal Institute with the Grüner Strom Label fosters distributed power micro-generation in Brazil through financial support available to home consumers and small businesses for the installation of photovoltaic generators with a capacity of up to 5 kW.

Solar Label (Selo Solar)

The Solar Label is awarded to companies or public and private institutions that consume a minimum annual value of solar electricity, which varies according to the total amount of energy consumed.

Elaboração do Regulamento do Selo Solar (2011)
This report registers the process of establishment of the Selo Solar as instrument for providing the use of solar electricity. It describes the conception and implementation as well as regularization of Selo Solar and points out some challenges in its application.

Qualitative evaluation of the Solar PV Label- Avaliação qualitativa do Selo de Energia Solar Fotovoltaica (2011)
This market study aims to gain insights about the assessment of Selo Solar by the addressed target group. The intention is to gain knowledge about the receptivity of the relating electricity consumers. Therefore, the study uses a qualitative research approach. Manual de Uso de Selo Solar (2011)
Apoio na elaboração das regras da Campanha Selo Solar (2011)

Solar Simulater (Simulador Solar)
The Solar Simulator is a digital tool that allows to calculate the power of a photovoltaic system (solar electricity generator) required to meet the annual power demand of a residential house, a commercial or industrial building. The tool calculates how much electricity the property would save as well as the total area required on the rooftop or ground area to install the solar panels.

Solar Energy Systems Price Simulator (Simulador de Preço de Energia Solar)
It calculate the aproximate price of a PV system installed on a house or a business. Its database is fed by over 300 solar energy companies in Brazil.

Map of solar energy companies -Mapa de Empresas de Energia Solar (Solar Energy Companies Map)
It's a guide to all active verified solar energy companies performing installations in Brazil.

Educational manual "How can I have wind energy in my home?" - Cartilha "Como faço para ter energia eólica em minha casa?" (2014)
Step by step to your own wind power system – that’s what the educational manual launched by IDEAL Institute describes. It gives an overview on basic technical aspects, project planning and implementation and profitability of small scale wind power systems, including the utilization of financial compensation through Net Metering. The objective is to encourage consumers to install small scale wind power systems.

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Post regulation (Challenges)

Analysis and inquiry about the Brazilian tariff composition- Análise e levantamento da composição tarifária brasileira (2013)
Uncertainty about the cost-effectiveness of a small scale photovoltaic installations in Brazil is one mayor reason for the hesitant interest in distributed generation. This uncertainty is related to an unknown composition of Brazilian electricity tariffs. The study analyses the Brazilian tariff system of the electricity sector in the low voltage consumers segment, specifically consumer groups B1 (residential) and B3 (commercial and small industry). The analysis aims to build a basis for rentability studies of PV installations.

Importbestimmungen und -Kosten für Photovoltaik-Anlagen zur dezentralen Stromerzeugung in Brasilien (2014)

Condições de Importação de Equipamentos de Mini e Microgeração Distribuida Fotovoltaicos (2012)
The allocation of information about taxing for the import and export of components for small scale photovoltaic generation is crucial for the sucess of distributed genertation in Brazil. An overview on tax conditions, therefore, facilitates the entrance of foreign technology producers in the Brazilian market. Important information considering PV business consists of fiscal benefits granted by states and other public initiatives and costs for logistics and certification of components.

Histórico da Regulação do Custo de Disponibilidade no Brasil (2013)
In Brazil, one part of the electricty bill of residential consumers is the so called Availability Cost of the Electricity Sector (port. Custo de Disponibilidade do Sistema Elétrico). It is the minimum value charged by the electricity distributer, independently of any electricity consume. The Custo de Disponibilidade is considered as one item that may contribute to doubts about the profitability of small decentralized generation. This article points out the legal basis of the Custo de Disponibilidade, highlighting how ANEEL could use its competencies to alter the regulation in a favourable manner for small distributed generation.

Dezentrale Stromerzeugung durch Photovoltaik in Brasilien - Eine Wirtschaftlichkeitsanalyse (2013)
This thesis assesses the profitability of decentralised electricity generation in the Brazilian commercial sector. It aims to prove if net parity is achieved in relation to the introduction of Net Metering. Therefore, it analyses the electricity supply situation in the commercial sector, the characteristics and macro-economic influence factors of PV in Brazil. Subsequently, the author develops scenarios in which this work concludes whether profitability is given or not.

Análise sobre a instalação do Dispositivo de Seccionamento Visível (DSV) na microgeração (2014)
The obligatory installation of the readily accessible disconnection device (port.Dispositivo de Seccionamento Visível - DSV), a component that visibly guarantees the disconnection of small generation centrals during distribution system maintenance of the provider, is one of the elements required by the PRODIST (port. Procedimentos de Distribuição de Energia Elétrica no Sistema Elétrico Nacional) Module of Resolution 482. This component is not used any longer by countries with a large percentage of photovoltaics like Germany and Italy. The study analyses if the legal requirement of DSV in Brazil is a barrier on the development of small PV generation.

Retrificação da Regulação DSV ANEEL (2014)

Framework Assessment for the Photovoltaic Business Opportunities in Brazil (2014)
This report describes the legal and administrative framework of Net Metering and distributed generation in Brazil, giving an overview on business opportunities for installing solar PV systems. It shows the current market profile for PV and then develops business models for enabling policy options such as Energy Auction Systems and Net Metering. Challenges and further developments are discussed.

O mercado brasileiro de geração distribuida fotovoltaica em 2013 (2014)
Instituto IDEAL, supported by the GIZ, established a dialogue channel with Brazilian photovoltaic installation companies via its Solar Company Register. These contacts were used to support the elaboration of a market study about the relationship between installation companies and energy suppliers. Therefore, the Instituto IDEAL applied a methodology based on an online survey. The questions referred to general market relevant information about grid connection and installation costs, as well as companies´ familiarity with the legal framework and connection procedures adopted by energy suppliers for Net Metering and distributed generation.

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Pilot Project - Solar Stadium Pituaçu

Project Pituaçu

Estádios Solares Opção Sustentável para a Copa 2014 no Brasil (2010)
This study gives information about the Brazilian solar stadiums planned for the football world cup 2014 to defend the projects in terms of profitability and their significance as marketing instrument to stimulate the increase of distributed PV generation in the country. The characteristics of each of the new stadiums are given and the possible PV cover area is calculated. In the World Cup 2014, four stadiums were equipped with FV power plants.

Identificação de empresas alemãs para elaboração do projeto executivo (2010)
To execute the installation of PV modules on the first Brazilian solar stadium Pituaçu, this study identifies and presents five German PV companies.

Fornecimento de dados para empresas interessadas no projeto executivo (2010)
As preparation of the executive project, technical and arquitectural data about Pituaçu stadium like construction plans and information about engineering of the stadium as well as about the company COELBA as executing energy provider has been gathered and analyzed. Based on that information and the financial offers, a detailed evaluation of the companies applying for the projects technical execution was done.

Tendering Pituaçu

• Solicitação de Proposta Edital
• Edital: Projeto Básico
• Edital: Modelo de Contrato de Prestações de Serviços
• Edital: Modelos
• Edital: Laboratórios aprovados pela COELBA
• Edital: Experiência Prévia da Licitante
• Edital: Avaliação dos Componentes do Sistema Gerador Fotovoltaico
• Edital: Normas Técnicas Aplicáveis
• Edital: Modelo de Carta Proposta

Quality Control Pituaçu

Report on the inspection of the Solar Power Plant Pituaçu (2012)

Further Projects

CAIXA inaugura primeira agência com placas fotovoltaicas (2014)
The biggest public bank of Latin America, the Brazilian CAIXA, equipped its agency in Vazante, Minas Gerais state, with a PV power plant, making it Brazil´s first electricity supply self-sufficient commercial building. The surplus electricity produced at Vazante agency is fed in to the local grid through Net Metering. By this means, the agency will save 51.000 BRL per year (more or less 17.000 EUR). GIZ supported CAIXA during the implementation of the project, whose success led to CAIXA´s intention to transform further commercial buildings into sustainable “Zero Energy” bank agencies.

Further Information

• Grid portal on energypedia
  
• Net Metering
  
• Metering and Billing Systems
  
• Brazil Energy Situation

References

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