VIABILIDADE ECONÔMICA DA ENERGIA FOTOVOLTAICA PARA IRRIGANTES NO NORTE DE MINAS E VALE DO JEQUITINHONHA

Abstract

Although there is a lack of feasibility studies, solutions based on photovoltaic energy have become very attractive for farmers due to the constant increases in electricity costs. Thus, the objective of this paper was evaluate economic viability of photovoltaic energy for irrigation in the regions of Jequitinhonha Valley and the Northern Minas Gerais State. The database uses in this study came form the Brazilian Atlas of Solar Energy was used. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) was used as an economic viability index for photovoltaic energy.  The LCOE values ​​were compared with the energy tariff weighted values, in R$ kWh^-1, of the B2 Rural Tariff Group in different night and day working hours scenarios. It was observed that the greater the generation potential and the power of the photovoltaic system, the greater the trend of investment viability due to the LCOE reduction. The use of photovoltaic energy is feasible, except to lower powers in the Jequitinhonha Valley and Northern Minas Gerais State neighboring microregions, when compared to the daytime irrigation. The mainly use of the nightly discounted energy tariff is an alternative to photovoltaic energy when it comes to economic viability.