SOLAR Project brings renewable energy to Curitiba's periphery for public lighting

The 29 de Março community, in the Cidade Industrial de Curitiba (CIC), was one of two Brazilian regions selected by the Action Fund Brazil to receive investments to combat climate inequality. Ambiens Sociedade Cooperativa, a local cooperative, was responsible for the project — a 15-month initiative in one of the city's most vulnerable neighborhoods. The other project was implemented in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul.

According to the coordinator of the Solar Project - Sustainability for All, Adriane Ferreira, this work can be developed in any urban context, but there is a reason for starting in the CIC. “When extreme events occur, such as heavy rains and flooding, those living in socially vulnerable communities are the first to be affected. The Solar Project aims to mitigate these issues here first,” says Ferreira.

Nineteen panels (17 photovoltaic and two thermal) were installed, with a generating capacity of 7,570 kilowatt-hours per year. This system powers 35 streetlights throughout the 29 de Março community and heats a shower at the local community center. Residents report feeling safer with the streets lit at night. “I wouldn't leave the house after 6:00 p.m. Now I go out, I go to church, with peace of mind,” says resident Maria da Silva. Additionally, the community center's computers, used by both adults and children, now have a stable power supply.

With reduced mobility and an income of only 100 reais per month, Dona Maria Gonçalves does not have a bathroom at home. Being able to use the heated shower has significantly improved her quality of life. “I used to bathe with a mug, heating water with an immersion heater and pouring it over my head. Now it is great, the shower has hot and cold water. I prefer the warm water,” she says.

Currently, the off-grid system, which operates independently of the Copel power grid, guarantees a five-year lifespan for the equipment. In the future, connecting to the power grid as a consumer unit could extend this lifespan to 25 years. “In addition to increased durability, it will be possible to feed the surplus solar energy back into the formal power grid,” Ferreira explains.

Source: Ambiens Sociedade Cooperativa