Implementation of photovoltaic energy, sustainability, economic and social development in a Higher Education Institution in Brazil

Abstract

Energy is a crucial element for human needs today. Traditional systems of energy generation have represented a problem in terms of their costs, their impact on the environment, and their impact on community life. Therefore, the search for clean and renewable energy sources that meet the needs of contemporary society becomes increasingly essential in the search for alternatives related to energy sources. The photovoltaic energy generation system explores the solar irradiation, making it possible to generate and store energy. This system finds good conditions for implementation in Brazil in terms of climatic characteristics, but investments and public policies that encourage and favor this process are still needed. This study aimed to identify how the deployment of photovoltaic mini-generation power plant in a federal university, the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), can contribute to the university community in relation to cost reduction and environmental preservation. The methodology used was descriptive-exploratory, qualitative, through which an open questionnaire and a semi-structured interview were carried out, guided by the theme. After analyzing the data, the conclusion was that the system can bring benefits in the long term and that most of the interviewees consider Brazil's great potential in expanding the exploration of other sources of energy, besides hydroelectric, which, besides being costly, brings fewer advantages related to the environmental and social contexts.