The Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy (ABSOLAR) proposed to the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) the donation of surplus credits from distributed generation from renewable sources to health institutions that work to combat the new COVID-19 coronavirus.

The proposal recommends the transfer, on an exceptional basis, of electricity credits for a period of six months to consumer units that perform essential services, such as hospitals and health centers that have been working in the treatment of patients and in combating COVID-19.

The measure requires a timely adaptation of the current rules of the Electricity Compensation System, so that users of distributed renewable generation could voluntarily donate their credits to such institutions.

Currently, Brazil has 2.8 gigawatts (GW) of installed power in distributed generation, which represents, on average, an electricity generation equivalent to 408 GWh / month. According to ABSOLAR calculations, with the donation of only 1% of this total, it would be possible to save approximately R $ 2.28 million per month on the electricity bill of the benefited institutions. In the case of an adhesion of 5% of the total generated through distributed generation, the benefit would represent R $ 11.4 million per month of cost reduction to the benefited establishments. The calculation considered the average value of the electricity tariff in Brazil, of R $ 0.56 per kilowatt hour (kWh).

The idea arose from the interactions of Ricardo Rizzotto, an entrepreneur from Maranhão, with one of his clients who use photovoltaic solar energy, who has accumulated credits and would like to do more for society at this delicate moment. In contact with the executive, ABSOLAR works to make the suggestion feasible - which has already generated positive repercussions and attracted the interest of several integrators and consumers willing to collaborate with the initiative.

“The implementation of this measure would not require any technical adaptation on the part of consumers, distributors or benefited institutions. Regulatory permission is enough - which ANEEL can grant exceptionally and for a specific time ”, comments ABSOLAR's vice president of distributed generation, Bárbara Rubim. “We can and want to contribute to the reduction of the economic and social impacts of the pandemic, through a simple and solidary measure, which allows the reduction of expenses with electricity during the COVID-19 pandemic period”, he points out.