A renewable energy incentive programme has been launched in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, by the state governor, Alberto Pinto Coelho.
The scheme, named ‘Energia de Minas’, will include tax breaks for investors building modules, inverters and solar plants. This will be in conjunction with incentives for involvement in other forms of renewable energy. Although financial details of the scheme have yet to be revealed, ‘Energia de Minas’ could also involve assistance from the local state-owned bank Banco de Desenvolvimento de Minas Gerais.
A local company, Companhia Energetica Integrada, is already building a 3MW solar park in the state and Tecnometal, Brazil’s first solar panel maker, has apparently demonstrated an interest in investing in Minas Gerais.
In order to promote solar power in the region, the state of Minas Gerais and the Energy Company of Minas Gerais launched a web-based solar energy resources-mapping tool, ‘Atlas Solarmetrico de Minas Gerais’ in early 2013. This was done to promote solar power, especially for use in the local mining industry (Minas Gerais can be literally translated ‘General Mines’).
Minas Gerais also came to the attention of the solar power industry previously when the Mineirão football stadium, in state capital Belo Horizonte became the first Brazilian stadium to be fitted with a solar array, a 1.4MW capacity PV rooftop plant.
The fitting of PV to the roof of the Mineirão has formed part of Brazil's preparations for next year’s football World Cup, at which several of the participating stadiums will feature PV installations and other renewable energy measures to contribute to governing body FIFA’s sustainability programme as well as showcasing ecological innovation.
