

Empowering the Pilar community with affordable and reliable solar energy.
A group of British and Brazilian organisations have launched Solar Pilar, a project to install solar panels, smart meters and test experimental pricing in a low-income neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro.
This pilot initiative, starting in Nov 21, will test the viability of innovative microgrid solar technologies and business model to power low-income households with clean, reliable and affordable energy for low-income communities.
HOW IT WORKS
Delivering solar panels, battery storage and smart meters to 240 homes

30 homes will receive roof installed solar PV panels, a hybrid inverter, a battery, an intelligent controller, and a smart meter. This will allow; ligente e um medidor inteligente.
This will allow:
- Generation and storage of their electricity.
- Ability to send spare solar electricity to the grid and save it for later use.

60 homes will also benefit from a solar PV remote generation site and smart meters installed in their home to balance the remote generation with local electricity consumption.

150 homes will receive smart meters allowing them to precisely monitor how and when they use energy. This will allow to test time of use tariffs – cheaper energy costs at off-peak times.
BENEFITS

Lower energy costs and carbon emissions

Provide reliable energy supply

Test new technologies and business models