Potencialidade da energia fotovoltaica no semiárido nordestino e sua relação com o desenvolvimento sustentável

Abstract

The energy issue is one of the greatest current challenges and, at the same time, it generates great environmental concerns, in the search for alternative sources that do not degrade the environment and enable sustainable development. The abundance of water resources in Brazil prioritized large investments in hydroelectric plants, whose construction degrades the aquatic environment and floods large areas of land, in addition to depending on rainfall for energy generation. In view of this, we tried to diagnose the potential of photovoltaic solar energy in the semi-arid region of the Northeast and its relationship with sustainable development, with these determinations being the main objectives. To carry out this work, data on the topic of photovoltaic solar energy were used, published in a report and/or available on the websites of the National Institute of Meteorology, of the science and knowledge service of the European Commission, of the National Energy Balance, of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, from the National Electric Energy Agency and other bodies in the energy sector. Using descriptive statistics, temporal averages, relative frequencies, temporal and spatial evolution, comparisons among themselves, among other parameters, and calculations, analyses, graphing and tables using the Excel spreadsheet were determined. The main results showed that electric energy generated by hydroelectricity is not a viable option, due to the environmental impacts arising from the construction and flooding of land, in addition to the dependence on rainfall for energy generation. The high availability of solar irradiance in northeastern Brazil justifies the option for a photovoltaic source, which is less degrading than any other renewable source and has a high potential for expansion and contribution to sustainable development in the semiarid region of the Northeast. The Constitutional Fund for Financing of the Northeast (FNE Sol) is the challenge of integrating public policies to expand the use of solar energy and sustainable development in the semiarid region. It is concluded that photovoltaic systems in the northeastern semiarid have potential for expansion and contribute to sustainable development, generate employment and income, and are decentralized. However, there is a need for technological advances that result in increased conversion efficiency and cost reduction, in addition to the option of adding them to the national energy matrix.