Brazil

This report is a deliverable of the “Global Solar Water Heating Market Transformation and Strengthening Initiative”, jointly funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)and the International Copper Association. In Latin America the commitment for SWH deployment has been supported by the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE).

This case study was written by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. It focuses on the city of Belo Horizonte, which is the capital of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, and recaps their experience in passing a solar thermal hot water heating system mandate for their city.

An organisation to support solar energy in Argentina is the Solar City Network (Red de Ciudades Solares), which places the emphasis on solar water heating. Part of their work consists of non-commercial conferences and exhibitions, which take place in various cities across the country. The latest event supported by the Solar City Network took place in Mendoza in November 2011 and attracted more than 600 visitors. Local media even spoke about 1,000 people visiting the Mendoza Solar.
Photo: National University of Cuyo

The Brazilian social housing programme 'My Home My Life' has now entered its second phase (2011/2014). Despite new rules, installing a solar water heater remains mandatory for all single-family houses whose owners have a wage lower than Brazilian Real (BRL) 1,600. The sector had to wait until 27 September for the government-owned bank CAIXA to release the technical requirements for solar thermal systems. Now, the new projects are ready to begin. Each solar water system, including installation, is subsidised with up to 2,000 BRL/residential unit. For newly built multi-family houses, the low-income solar system is optional.
Source: EPA

This week, the Swiss Bank Sarasin published the 12^th edition of their solar industry report, covering all three solar technologies: solar heating and cooling (ST), photovoltaics (PV), and concentrating solar power (CSP). The chapter on solar thermal identifies great differences in the market development of national markets and regions. While the Chinese market continues to shine, many European countries are suffering from decreasing or stagnating markets. Nevertheless, Sarasin predicts a great future, with a global average growth of 12% per year until 2020.

The Brasilian Congress of Solar Heating CB-Sol will take place from 9 to 10 November in Campinas, Sao Paulo. The congress will be accompanied by the Solar Exhibition Exposolar 2011.

The construction world will be gathered at the Anhembi Exhibitors Pavilion, Sao Paulo, where the 20th edition of Feicon Batimat will take place from 27 to 31 March 2012. Feicon Batimat is a trend toolbox for architects, interior designers, retailers, and manufacturers. Visitors can check out all the releases, trends and effective solutions to serve the demanding construction market and its growing demand.

This is a poster prepared by Carlos Henrique Porfirio and Dalva de Araujo Vieira from the Architecture and Urbanism College of University of São Paulo, in Brazil. It analyses different options for domestic hot water and heating.

The poster includes an introduction about solar energy, both PV and thermal, the international market and the Brazilian market as well. The document analyses the Brazilian market in terms of available legislation, main barriers and potential. It also refers examples of legislation in Germany, Israel and Spain.

This is a scientific paper done by Luis Eduardo about using solar energy for refrigeration. Refrigeration becomes very important especially for rural areas where electricity is not reliable. Using renewable energy in rural areas would decrease the use of electrical energy in the country, providing thus more reliable energy to the populations of these remote areas.

Amr M. Abdel Hai, Programme Officer for the Energy Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (left), and Eduardo Noboa, Renewable Energy and Environment Coordinator from the Latin American Energy Organisation (OLADE), organised a two-day workshop with the aim to strengthen the solar water heating markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. A total of 46 solar thermal experts from several countries (Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, Nicaragua, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay) exchanged information, knowledge, lessons learned and successful experiences.
Photo: OLADE