Brazil has announced a new 2 GW solar strategy. It plans to build 2 million new social housing units by 2026 and install two solar modules in each home, providing 1 kW of power per unit.
The Brazilian government, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, launched the Minha Casa Minha Vida (My House, My Life) social housing program this week. The program was originally launched by Lula’s government between 2003 and 2011, but was suspended by Jair Bolsonaro’s government.
Like previous versions, the new program includes the deployment of solar power systems on a much larger scale. The goal of the program is to build 2 million new social housing units by 2026 and to install two solar modules in each home, providing 1 kW of power per housing unit.
According to figures published by ABSolar, the Brazilian solar association, the program could lead to the installation of 2 GW of distributed solar generation, reducing household electricity bills by 70 percent. The program serves families with a monthly income of up to BRL 8,000 ($1,660) in urban areas and up to BRL 96,000 per year in rural areas.
In June, the House of Representatives approved a new version of the system, which allows the severance compensation fund (FGTS) to be used for public lighting, basic sanitation, public roads and stormwater drainage projects.
