Why doesn't solar photovoltaic generation combat waste in industry?

Photovoltaic generation and the Brazilian industrial sector

The industrial sector is the one that consumes the most energy in Brazil, more than 35% of the country's total consumption. Since we have one of the most expensive industrial energy rates in the world, managers opt for alternatives that “apparently” consume energy consumption, such as photovoltaic generation.

Here we say apparently in quotation marks, because some forms of reduction used by the industry are a great illusion. Among them, we can mention the installation of photovoltaic panels to locally generate part of the energy used in the plant itself.

It is true that they have great appeal, because these systems generate renewable energy from the sun's rays. In other words, it is a much cleaner source and with reduced environmental impacts compared to traditional sources.

Energy efficiency and energy generation

Those who think that efficiency is guaranteed just by installing panels are mistaken. Or would it somehow save money? The truth is that this technology does not promote efficiency, it is still expensive in Brazil and the payback periods are very high. They can be up to 20 years!!!

Especially for industries that have lower energy rates because they have joined the free energy market.

That's where energy efficiency comes in. Although the name is not so catchy and does not have much media appeal, it is, by far, the best solution for reducing energy costs in industry.

By implementing measures that reduce consumption, waste is destroyed and energy costs fall.

Conclusion

Photovoltaic generation is not the solution for reducing the amount of energy consumed in industry. It only added more energy to be used by industrial processes.

Energy efficiency is the only alternative for saving energy and should be a priority in energy management. Efficiency measures have a much faster return than any generation opportunity.