IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i17p7527-d1467843.html

Linking Energy Transition to Income Generation for Vulnerable Populations in Brazil: A Win-Win Strategy

Author

Listed:
  • Wesly Jean

    (Energy and Environment Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil)

  • Marcel Bursztyn

    (Center for Sustainable Development, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil)

  • Nelson Bernal

    (Center for Sustainable Development, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil)

  • Antonio C. P. Brasil Junior

    (Energy and Environment Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil)

  • Gabriela Litre

    (Center for Sustainable Development, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil)

  • Daniela Nogueira

    (Center for Sustainable Development, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil)

Abstract

This article presents the modeling of a solar photovoltaic system connected to the grid in rural low-income communities living in the semiarid region of Brazil. The model is based on the premise that enough electrical energy will be generated locally to meet the household demand for electricity and to produce a surplus that can be sold on the grid. The main idea is that the sun, usually associated with severe droughts in the Brazilian semiarid region, can be transformed into social income while fostering energy autonomy. To model the system, the computational tools Photovoltaic Software (PVSyst7.3.1) and System Advisor Model (SAM) were used. Several configurations (cases) of systems were analyzed and associated with the evaluation of three commercial electricity scenarios, considering the local electricity rate (USD/kWh). A case study was conducted in the rural settlement of Jacaré-Curituba in the Brazilian semiarid region, where different estimated sale prices for the energy surplus were compared with traditional monthly cash transfers to poor families from the social welfare program “ Bolsa Família ”. The results indicate the viability of this model as an income alternative for low-income communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Wesly Jean & Marcel Bursztyn & Nelson Bernal & Antonio C. P. Brasil Junior & Gabriela Litre & Daniela Nogueira, 2024. "Linking Energy Transition to Income Generation for Vulnerable Populations in Brazil: A Win-Win Strategy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:17:p:7527-:d:1467843
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/17/7527/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/17/7527/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lupangu, C. & Bansal, R.C., 2017. "A review of technical issues on the development of solar photovoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 950-965.
    2. Mohammad Al-Saidi & Nisreen Lahham, 2019. "Solar energy farming as a development innovation for vulnerable water basins," Development in Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(5), pages 619-634, July.
    3. Butera, Federico Maria & Caputo, Paola & Adhikari, Rajendra Singh & Mele, Renata, 2019. "Energy access in informal settlements. Results of a wide on site survey in Rio De Janeiro," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    4. Nacer, T. & Hamidat, A. & Nadjemi, O. & Bey, M., 2016. "Feasibility study of grid connected photovoltaic system in family farms for electricity generation in rural areas," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA), pages 305-318.
    5. Schuetze, Benjamin & Hussein, Hussam, 2023. "The geopolitical economy of an undermined energy transition: The case of Jordan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    6. Ahmed Abouaiana, 2022. "Rural Energy Communities as Pillar towards Low Carbon Future in Egypt: Beyond COP27," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-18, December.
    7. Collier, Samuel H.C. & House, Jo I. & Connor, Peter M. & Harris, Richard, 2023. "Distributed local energy: Assessing the determinants of domestic-scale solar photovoltaic uptake at the local level across England and Wales," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Xuemeng Zhao & Weilun Huang, 2024. "Global Geopolitical Changes and New/Renewable Energy Game," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-27, August.
    2. Rund Awwad & Scott Dwyer & Andrea Trianni, 2025. "Unpacking Market Barriers to Energy Efficiency in Emerging Economies: Policy Insights and a Business Model Perspective from Jordan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-26, June.
    3. Maammeur, H. & Hamidat, A. & Loukarfi, L. & Missoum, M. & Abdeladim, K. & Nacer, T., 2017. "Performance investigation of grid-connected PV systems for family farms: case study of North-West of Algeria," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1208-1220.
    4. Falk, Martin Thomas & Hagsten, Eva, 2025. "The impact of rising electricity prices on demand for photovoltaic solar systems," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    5. Sun, Yaling & Che, Yanbo & Guo, Xiao & Zhang, Shangyuan, 2025. "Optimal modelling and analysis of DG-GC joint multilateral transaction in energy blockchain environment: from the REP perspective," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    6. Saranchimeg, Sainbold & Nair, Nirmal K.C., 2021. "A novel framework for integration analysis of large-scale photovoltaic plants into weak grids," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PA).
    7. Assed Haddad & Ahmed Hammad & Danielle Castro & Diego Vasco & Carlos Alberto Pereira Soares, 2021. "Framework for Assessing Urban Energy Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-18, August.
    8. Hernández-Escobedo, Q. & Fernández-García, A. & Manzano-Agugliaro, F., 2017. "Solar resource assessment for rural electrification and industrial development in the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico)," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1550-1561.
    9. Aziz, Ali Saleh & Tajuddin, Mohammad Faridun Naim & Adzman, Mohd Rafi & Azmi, Azralmukmin & Ramli, Makbul A.M., 2019. "Optimization and sensitivity analysis of standalone hybrid energy systems for rural electrification: A case study of Iraq," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 775-792.
    10. Isabelo Rabuya & Melissa Libres & Michael Lochinvar Abundo & Evelyn Taboada, 2021. "Moving Up the Electrification Ladder in Off-Grid Settlements with Rooftop Solar Microgrids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-32, June.
    11. Kraschewski, Tobias & Heumann, Maximilian & Breitner, Michael H., 2025. "Adoption and spatial distribution disparities of residential plug-in and rooftop photovoltaic systems in Germany," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    12. Solomon Feleke & Degarege Anteneh & Balamurali Pydi & Raavi Satish & Adel El-Shahat & Almoataz Y. Abdelaziz, 2023. "Feasibility and Potential Assessment of Solar Resources: A Case Study in North Shewa Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-15, March.
    13. Aziz, Ali Saleh & Tajuddin, Mohammad Faridun Naim & Adzman, Mohd Rafi & Mohammed, Mohd Fayzul & Ramli, Makbul A.M., 2020. "Feasibility analysis of grid-connected and islanded operation of a solar PV microgrid system: A case study of Iraq," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    14. Hamdy Abdelaty & Daniel Weiss & Delia Mangelkramer, 2023. "Climate Policy in Developing Countries: Analysis of Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Measures in Egypt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-20, June.
    15. Ridha, Hussein Mohammed & Gomes, Chandima & Hizam, Hashim & Ahmadipour, Masoud & Heidari, Ali Asghar & Chen, Huiling, 2021. "Multi-objective optimization and multi-criteria decision-making methods for optimal design of standalone photovoltaic system: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    16. Uzair Jamil & Joshua M. Pearce, 2025. "Regenerative Agrivoltaics: Integrating Photovoltaics and Regenerative Agriculture for Sustainable Food and Energy Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-16, May.
    17. AL-Rasheedi, Majed & Gueymard, Christian A. & Al-Khayat, Mohammad & Ismail, Alaa & Lee, Jared A. & Al-Duaj, Hamad, 2020. "Performance evaluation of a utility-scale dual-technology photovoltaic power plant at the Shagaya Renewable Energy Park in Kuwait," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    18. Andrea Marchioni & Carlo Alberto Magni & Davide Baschieri, 2020. "Investment and Financing Perspectives for a Solar Photovoltaic Project," MIC 2020: The 20th Management International Conference,, University of Primorska Press.
    19. Valerii Havrysh & Antonina Kalinichenko & Edyta Szafranek & Vasyl Hruban, 2022. "Agricultural Land: Crop Production or Photovoltaic Power Plants," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-23, April.
    20. Kumar, Manish & Kumar, Arun, 2017. "Performance assessment and degradation analysis of solar photovoltaic technologies: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 554-587.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:17:p:7527-:d:1467843. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.