Análise da viabilidade de um sistema de energia fotovoltaico em uma propriedade rural no município de Coronel Freitas - SC

Abstract

The escalating urgency of achieving sustainability in rural areas is undeniable, particularly in light of the demonstrably detrimental impacts of climate change. A prominent example is the mitigation of methane gas emissions, a potent greenhouse gas associated with ruminant livestock farming. Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy offers a compelling solution – it is a clean, renewable source with minimal environmental impact, making it highly suitable for adoption by rural producers. This case study delves into the economic and financial viability of implementing photovoltaic panels on a dairy farm. The study aimed to achieve three key objectives: cost identification: To comprehensively assess the upfront and ongoing costs associated with the installation and maintenance of the PV system. Performance evaluation: To determine the project's economic-financial performance through the calculation of relevant indicators. Investment viability assessment: To critically evaluate the financial attractiveness of the investment in the PV system. To address the research objectives, a comprehensive data analysis was conducted. Historical electricity consumption and generation data for the rural property were meticulously examined over a period of nine months, from August 2023 to April 2024. This data served as a foundation for creating projections concerning energy production and consumption estimates, including considerations for panel maintenance and cleaning costs over a 25-year timeframe. The analysis leveraged established economic-financial analysis principles, with a particular focus on the following key indicators: Internal Rate of Return (IRR); Payback Period; Net Present Value (NPV); and Accumulated NPV. Furthermore, to account for potential future uncertainties, three distinct scenarios were modeled: probable, optimistic, and pessimistic. This approach provided a more robust understanding of the investment's performance under varying conditions. The findings gleaned from the three scenarios demonstrably illustrate the positive potential of investing in photovoltaic panels for rural dairy farms. Notably, the IRR consistently exceeded twice the Minimum Attractive Rate across all scenarios. Additionally, the payback period was projected to be between 7 and 8 years, significantly shorter than the typical lifespan of photovoltaic panels (guaranteed for approximately 25 years). This translates to a highly favorable economic and financial situation for the investment. This case study acknowledges inherent limitations associated with its methodological approach. The analysis focused solely on economic and financial considerations, neglecting the potential influence of external factors such as legal, environmental, or technological advancements that might impact the project's viability in the long term. Additionally, the study's generalizability is inherently restricted due to its singular case-study design. The present case study provides compelling evidence that the installation of photovoltaic panels on a dairy farm can deliver positive economic and financial returns. The robust results, coupled with the environmental benefits of reduced greenhouse gas emissions, strongly suggest that PV solar energy represents a viable and attractive solution for promoting sustainability within the rural sector.