Solar Americas Capital and Ambev have announced the successful launch of a large-scale, behind-the-meter solar power plant in Brazil. This milestone project, located in Cachoeiras do Macacu, Rio de Janeiro, has a peak power generation capacity of 5MW and consists of approximately 9000 solar panels installed adjacent to AMBEV’s factory.
The behind-the-meter solution is a significant advantage as it allows the solar installation to directly supply energy to the consumer without relying on the distribution network. According to Christian Ferrari, Strategic Sourcing AB InBev, “One of the key benefits of this deployment is the simultaneous generation and consumption of energy, ensuring that AMBEV has access to 100% certifiable and renewable energy while also reducing costs by eliminating the need for the transmission and distribution network.” He further adds, “We are pleased with the results and proud to partner with Solar Americas on this long-term strategic project.”
The solar plant is expected to generate close to 7,000 MWh of clean energy per year, which is equivalent to the energy consumption of 3,000 houses. This translates to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, as each MWh generated by solar energy in Brazil avoids over 300 kg of CO2 emissions, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. This means that the installation will prevent more than 2000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, which is equivalent to planting over 100,000 trees. Tiago Alves, Co-Founder and Commercial Director of Solar Americas, says, “We are proud to work with such a great team at Ambev and contribute to their commitment to environmental protection and innovation.”
The rising demand for renewable energy from commercial and industrial companies is a crucial step towards the energy transition, with positive impacts on the environment, society, and governance. Distributed and on-site renewable energy generation also helps optimize the energy network infrastructure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Solar photovoltaics offer a solution to the energy trilemma by providing security, affordability, and accessibility. Jose Tenorio, Co-Founder and Financial Director of Solar Americas, explains, “Solar Americas co-funds, identifies, builds, and manages solar assets for commercial and industrial partners, leveraging our 25 years of experience in the UK and Brazilian solar and finance markets.” He adds, “The launch of the Cachoeiras do Macacu solar plant is a significant milestone for Solar Americas, and we remain committed to providing affordable, clean, and renewable energy solutions to our customers worldwide.”
