Brazil EPE studies solar power trade feasibility

Nov 28, 2011 - Brazilian state-run energy research company EPE is elaborating a study on the viability of the commercialisation of solar power in the country, EPE's head Mauricio Tolmasquim said on Friday.
According to Tolmasquim, Brazil has an "interesting" solar energy potential and it is the world's second largest producer of silicon, a material used for the production of solar panels.
During an event in the southeastern Rio de Janeiro state, the secretary of economic and energy development of Rio de Janeiro, Julio Bueno, presented to Tolmasquim a document which proposes measures to speed up the development of photovoltaic (PV) energy on a national level. The possible moves include the introduction of tax incentives and the establishment of a market for the solar energy. The document is expected to be presented to Brazil's National Energy Policy Commission, or CNPE, before the council's next meeting scheduled for December 6. The document will be presented to the Mines and Energy ministry for analysis by the end of the year, Tolmasquim said.
Last week, Brazil's Mines and Energy Minister, Edison Lobao, said that solar energy projects may be auctioned in the near future. The technological development will lead to lower costs with solar projects' construction, thus increasing their competitiveness compared to the traditional energy sources offered at the government's power tenders, he noted back then.

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