E. M. D. Pereira, L. C.S. Mesquita[8], J. M.G. Rocha, M. J. Silva, D. P. Dias, R. Schirm, A. S.C. Diniz[9].

GREEN SOLAR, Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Minas Gerais.

Rua Dom Jose Gaspar 500, Predio 50, Belo Horizonte, MG, BRAZIL. 30535- 610 Email — green@pucminas. br

INTRODUCTION

Since the early 1990’s, the market for solar water heaters (SWH) in Brazil has experienced strong growth. From 36.000 m2of solar collectors commercialized in 1990, the market grew to 335.000 m2 in 2003, and reached a peak of 480.000 m2 during Brazil’s electricity supply crisis in 2001. In response, the manufacturers of SWH, worried about the development of a sustainable market, decided to implement a testing program for their products. The idea was to create a voluntary program that would test collectors, tanks and systems, as a way to establish minimum quality criteria and to help consumers compare different products. It was hoped that this would increase confidence, while at the same time permitting governments and utilities to launch tender processes for the purchase of solar water heaters.

Consequently, in 1997 an agreement was reached between the manufacturers’ association (ABRAVA) and the Brazilian government agency responsible for metrology, standardization and industrial quality, INMETRO. Since 1984, INMETRO had been managing a successful labeling program created for electrical appliances. After the initial agreement, the solar energy laboratory of the Catholic Pontificate University of Minas Gerais (GREEN SOLAR) was chosen to execute the tests, and to be a partner in the development of the program’s standards and procedures.

GREEN SOLAR, INMETRO and all participating manufacturers jointly manage the voluntary program. Although it is not mandatory to have the tests performed to sell in the Brazilian market, manufacturers that do not participate face restricted access to government financing and tender processes. Since its onset, ABRAVA established the participation in the program as a prerequisite to membership. It is estimated that ABRAVA member companies account for over 80% of the sales of SWH in Brazil.

Collectors were the first type of equipment tested, starting in 1998. Then, in 1999, tanks were added to the program. As of January 2004, 171 models of solar collectors and 136 models of tanks have been sent to the laboratory for tests. Of these, 96 collectors and 117 tanks have already been fully tested. In 2003, a verification mechanism was implemented that allows the collection of samples from manufacturers’ stocks, through unannounced inspections.