SOLAR II – Sustainability for all

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Amount Raised

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Total Investors

Project Overview

By listening to the community leaders and with the participation of representatives of the municipal governments, the project intends to promote a renewable energy transition in local communities in Curitiba, maximizing the environmental benefits by the use of a clean and renewable source with reduced GHG emissions and, consequently, less impact on climate change.

The implementation of several actions and interventions is foreseen:

  1. civil works for the construction of a technical room to house electrical installations, including installations, main frame, inverters and batteries (if necessary), and other complementary structures
  2. nstallation of a photovoltaic plate system, inverters and interconnection with the local power grid
  3. nstallation of a system with solar thermal plates, thermal reservoirs, hot water recirculation pumping system and digital control panel;
  4. nstallation of other electric (public lighting) and complementary electronic systems, powered by solar energy;
  5. elaboration of interactive dashboards using the Power BI (Business Intelligence) platform, with internet access, for the dissemination and monitoring of the of the project’s main results;
  6. elaboration of an educational booklet to inform about the conception and operation of solar energy systems and their possible uses, the implementation of the installations and equipment in the community, the recommended and inappropriate behaviors to be adopted or not by community residents in relation to the same, in order to avoid personal and material damage.

The expected impacts are the reduction of GHG emissions (quantitative indicators) and the improvement in the quality of life of community residents assessed by the nature of the achieved results: digital inclusion with increased income and employment opportunities, study and employment, training, information, leisure; access to public services; access to better hygiene and health conditions; among others. Among the expected impacts, it is also worth mentioning the direct contribution of the SOLAR II project to reduce inequalities, particularly with regard to climate justice, since the populations with socioeconomic vulnerability are more exposed to the effects of climate change.

Sectors

  • Energy
US$650,000
Funding Goal
Brazil
Country
Latin America and the Caribbean
Region

Objectives

The rationale of the project is to bring electricity (clean and renewable) to equipment and community spaces located in communities characterized by socioeconomic and infrastructure vulnerability so that its supply is safe and stable, promoting the provision of basic urban services such as public lighting. ; online access to public services in the areas of education, health and social assistance, such as enrollment, school and research activities, consultations, registrations, social benefits; access to employment and income opportunities; participation in training and distance training; development of cultural and leisure activities; and access to information.

Progress Tracker

Phases

  • Phase 1

  • Phase 2

Current Stage

Phase 1

Timeline

In view of the previous experience with the SOLAR I Project and the recent successful contacts maintained with the different local administrations, it is estimated that, once the financial resources are guaranteed, the respective projects can be implemented in periods of time between 8 and 14 months, depending on scope.

Project Milestones

In the initial phase, the energy demands of the residents of the communities are recognized and the place where the equipment will be installed is identified; the next phase corresponds to the elaboration of the technical projects; the subsequent phase consists of the execution of the necessary infrastructure and installation of the installations; and, finally, the assessment of environmental and social impacts.

ESG Impact

Considering that the project is aimed at meeting the needs of extremely vulnerable populations, often providing basic rights, it will be promoting local economic development (increasing employment and income opportunities), positively impacting social conditions (creating access to basic and social public services), in particular the excluded, who are mostly made up of social minorities, and reinforcing aspects of governance as the level of environmental awareness and social engagement increases in favor of clean and renewable sources of energy.

Beneficiaries

The SOLAR II Project reaches around 4,000 people, living in extremely vulnerable communities from the socio-economic point of view and from the point of view of housing and basic urban infrastructure, located on the outskirts of urban centers. The vast majority of families in these populations earn a monthly income of less than 1 minimum wage per person.

SDG Goals

SDG 1: No PovertySDG 2: Zero HungerSDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingSDG 4: Quality EducationSDG 5: Gender EqualitySDG 6: Clean Water and SanitationSDG 7: Affordable and Clean EnergySDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthSDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureSDG 10: Reduced InequalitySDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesSDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionSDG 13: Climate ActionSDG 14: Life Below WaterSDG 15: Life on LandSDG 16: Peace and Justice Strong InstitutionsSDG 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goals

Rationale

SDG 7 – This SDG advocates for clean and affordable energy. The SOLAR II Project fully utilizes the solar energy source that is clean, contributing directly to the achievement of targets 7.1, by 2030, ensure universal, reliable, modern and affordable access to energy services; 7.2, by 2030, substantially increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix; and, 7.3, by 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
In this project, to the extent that it will be implemented with non-reimbursable resources, electric energy will be accessible to vulnerable populations in communities on the urban outskirts of the 4 aforementioned municipalities.

SDG 10 – This SDG advocates the reduction of inequalities among the inhabitants of a country. The SOLAR II Project, by being implemented in territories characterized by socioeconomic and infrastructure vulnerability, contributes to achieving target 10.2 – by 2030, empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, regardless of age, gender, deficiency, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, economic or other status.
This proposal, by addressing aspects such as climate justice and access to more efficient technologies, contributes to equity of opportunities for vulnerable populations in communities on the urban peripheries of the four aforementioned municipalities.

SDG 11 – This SDG calls for cities and human settlements to be inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. The SOLAR II Project, by improving the conditions of basic infrastructure and services, has directly contributed to the achievement of targets 11.1 – by 2030, ensure access for all to safe, adequate and affordable housing and basic services and urbanize slums; 11.  7 – by 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, accessible and green public spaces, particularly for women and children, older persons and persons with deficiency; and, 11. b – by 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans for inclusion, resource efficiency, climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster resilience; and develop and implement, in accordance with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels.
The SOLAR II Project by deploying a decentralized and independent electric power generation infrastructure, whose source is clean and sustainable (solar), in vulnerable communities makes the cities of the above-mentioned 4 municipalities more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

SDG 12 – This SDG advocates the adoption of measures to combat climate change and its impacts. The SOLAR II Project, by using a clean and sustainable energy source (solar), contributes directly to the achievement of targets 12.2 – by 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources; and 12.8 – by 2030, ensure that people everywhere have relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature. The present proposal by implementing a clean and sustainable energy source mitigates climate change by reducing the GHG emissions that cause it.

Tracks

In development with CIF partners

Risks and Limitations

What are the key risks, constraints and dependencies related to the project?

The SOLAR II Project presupposes the integration between the technical team responsible for its execution and the municipal administrations. It may occur during the course of the change of its representatives, which may compromise the implementation of the project. As a mitigating measure, letters of support must be signed in the preliminary phase of the project, joint field visits must be carried out to validate the area of ​​operation and, also, formalize the knowledge of the beginning of its implementation. Additionally, the effective participation of the technical team of the municipal administration must occur in order to guarantee that the progress of the project is not compromised by political changes. The formal commitment of representatives of municipal administrations should be sought through a document that establishes the responsibilities and the way of acting of each involved party.

The SOLAR II Project presupposes the integration between the technical team responsible for its execution and the community leaders and the residents of the communities. A change of leaders may occur along the way, which may compromise the implementation of the project. As a mitigating measure, the involvement and engagement of the largest possible number of residents and all community leaders or representatives should occur from the beginning of the project, in order to expand the network and ensure knowledge and safe execution of the project. The formal commitment of the leaders must be sought through a document that establishes the responsibilities and the form of action of each involved party.

The SOLAR II Project may come to operate off-grid insofar as the necessary measures are not taken by the municipal government and the energy concessionaire to establish its connection with the electrical distribution network through the installation of a consumer unit that will be the responsibility of the local administration. As a mitigating measure, a commitment between both parties must be established from the beginning of the project so that the relevant initiatives are adopted, within a pre-established period, in line with the project execution schedule. Alternatively, the on-grid operation of the facilities enhances its operation by extending its useful life and reducing maintenance costs.

 

Risk mitigation and continuity

The SOLAR II Project assumes the integration between the technical team responsible for its execution and the municipal administrations. There may be changes in representatives along the way that could compromise the implementation of the project. As a mitigating measure, letters of support should be firmed in the preliminary phase of the project, joint field visits should be made to validate the area of action and also to formalize the knowledge of the start of its implementation. Additionally, the effective participation of the technical team from the municipal administration must occur in order to ensure that the progress of the project is not compromised by political changes.The formal commitment of the representatives of the municipal administrations must be sought by means of a document that establishes the responsibilities and the form of action of each party involved.

The SOLAR II Project assumes the integration between the technical team responsible for its execution and the community leaders and residents of the communities. During the course of the project, there may be a change of leaders, which could compromise the implementation of the project. As a mitigating measure, the involvement and engagement of the largest possible number of residents and all the community leaders or representatives must take place from the beginning of the project, in order to expand the network and ensure the knowledge and execution of the project in a safe manner. The formal commitment of the leaders should be sought through a document that establishes the responsibilities and the form of action of each party involved.

The SOLAR II Project may come to operate off-grid to the extent that the necessary steps are not taken by the municipal government and the energy concessionaire to establish its connection to the electrical distribution network through the installation of a consumer unit that will be under the responsibility of the local administration. As a mitigating measure, a commitment should be established from the start of the project between both parties for the relevant initiatives to be adopted, within a pre-established timeframe, in alignment with the project execution schedule. Alternatively, the on-grid operation of the facilities enhances their operation by extending their useful life and reduces maintenance costs.

Financing

Funding Goal

US$650,000

Type of Investment

Grant

Financing Structure

Based on the experience of the SOLAR I Project, the cost structure is as follows: investment (40.91%), personnel and social charges (21.19%), taxes (16.82%), administrative management (10.33%), communication (6.75%) and data collection (3.99%).

Secured Investment

No prior investment has taken place. The only investments to date have been made by Ambiens, primarily in human resources to establish initial contacts with the municipalities and communities that could receive the SOLAR project.

Committed Government Funding

There will be no contribution from municipal public resources. Only if it is necessary to expand the network of the local energy company or with the installation and maintenance of a connection point, which will be confirmed in the elaboration of each specific project, but negotiations have already been established in this regard. Anyway, this is a resource that will not be included in the project's accounting.

Committed Private Funding

Additional financial resources other than those provided by TAP are not foreseen.

Support

Technical Support Required

N/A

Stakeholders

Governmental Buy-in

Yes, Vice-Mayor of Curitiba

Other Forms of Governmental Support

Political buy-in

National Ministries Involved

No national ministries involved

SubNational Ministries Involved

Curitiba City Hall
Eduardo Pimentel Slaviero, Vice Mayor of Curitiba

Other Entities Involved

Ambiens Cooperative Society

Licenses and Permits

According to Brazilian legislation and regulatory standards, there is no requirement to obtain prior, installation or operating licenses for this type of project. It is only necessary to follow the current legislation.

Updates

Supporting Documents

No supporting documents included.