Linking Energy Transition to Income Generation for Vulnerable Populations in Brazil: A Win-Win Strategy

Wesly Jean (), Marcel Bursztyn, Nelson Bernal, Antonio C. P. Brasil Junior, Gabriela Litre and Daniela Nogueira
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Wesly Jean: Energy and Environment Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
Marcel Bursztyn: Center for Sustainable Development, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
Nelson Bernal: Center for Sustainable Development, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
Antonio C. P. Brasil Junior: Energy and Environment Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
Gabriela Litre: Center for Sustainable Development, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
Daniela Nogueira: Center for Sustainable Development, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-18

Abstract: This article presents the modeling of a solar photovoltaic system connected to the grid in rural low-income communities living in the semiarid region of Brazil. The model is based on the premise that enough electrical energy will be generated locally to meet the household demand for electricity and to produce a surplus that can be sold on the grid. The main idea is that the sun, usually associated with severe droughts in the Brazilian semiarid region, can be transformed into social income while fostering energy autonomy. To model the system, the computational tools Photovoltaic Software (PVSyst7.3.1) and System Advisor Model (SAM) were used. Several configurations (cases) of systems were analyzed and associated with the evaluation of three commercial electricity scenarios, considering the local electricity rate (USD/kWh). A case study was conducted in the rural settlement of Jacaré-Curituba in the Brazilian semiarid region, where different estimated sale prices for the energy surplus were compared with traditional monthly cash transfers to poor families from the social welfare program “ Bolsa Família ”. The results indicate the viability of this model as an income alternative for low-income communities.

Keywords: low-income communities; policy integration; social energy income; solar distributed generation; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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