Brasil Solar

In 1998 LABSOLAR was working on a 4.7kWp stand-alone project for a hybrid PV-Diesel system to be installed on an island close to Florianopolis, where the University operates a historic site with a 18th century Portuguese fortress shown in the following section. The PV modules, batteries, charge regulators and inverters were already at the University warehouse ready to be installed, but clearance to install the system was delayed due to discussions with authorities concerned on whether the 50m2 PV array would represent a considerable visual impact on the historic site. LABSOLAR was therefore with an idle stand-alone 4.7kWp system available, plus the 2kWp building-integrated, grid-connected system described in the previous section. The idea was born, to promote a PV-powered rock concert to showcase PV. GREENPEACE was considered the ideal partner to involve in such an event, and after being contacted, immediately agreed to take part, taking care of all the media coverage and seeking sponsorship to make the event possible. A pop band enjoying great popularity, especially among teenagers, volunteered to fully sponsor the event, and so BRASIL SOLAR was made possible. The concert took place on the University’s main campus, and attracted an estimated 25 thousand people (entrance was free). The idea was to demonstrate the concept of both grid-connected and stand-alone PV systems to an audience largely unaware of the potential of PV power. The 2kWp grid-tied PV system operating at LABSOLAR’s building and injecting energy in the public grid since September 1997, and the 4.7kWp stand-alone PV system installed next to the stage guaranteed a 100% solar-powered show. The concert started at 6PM while the sun was still high in the sky, and finished at 10PM at night, also to demonstrate that solar energy works even when the sun is not shining. Three bands played one hour each, and the closing event at night received national TV coverage. During each of the 15 minutes intervals, a large screen showed videos prepared by the LABSOLAR team, explaining the wonders of PV technology to the audience. Figure 6 shows some images of the concert, and more are available at the laboratory’s web site (www. labsolar. ufsc. br). The event attracted considerable media coverage and was national news on television and newspapers, which suited well the dissemination objectives of LABSOLAR.

Figure 6: From top, clockwise, Brasil Solar logo, simultaneous mounting of the 4.7kWp stand­alone PV system and stage, estimated 25 thousand public and artists on stage.