Análise técnica e econômica da aplicação de painéis fotovoltaicos em pivôs de irrigação na região centro oriental do estado do Rio grande do Sul.

Abstract

The objective of this research is to perform the technical sizing of a solar power generation system applied to two irrigation pivots installed in the central-eastern region of Rio Grande do Sul, assessing its economic viability. Eight different scenarios were developed, varying the generation capacity of the photovoltaic system, current energy rates, and exemption or not from the new energy injection rate into the electrical grid. For the economic analysis, the methods of Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Discounted Payback (DPB) were applied to each scenario. The results were compared with the calculated value of the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) method. All scenarios showed economic feasibility for investment. It was concluded that higher energy rates increase the economic performance of the photovoltaic system, and that the new energy injection rate did not have a considerable impact on the viabil ity of the investment. The return on invested capital occurred in up to 1/4 of the project's useful life.