Solar-battery product for Brazilian farmers

Equipment manufacturer MTR Solar and inverter and battery maker GoodWe have launched a “Vertical Agro” battery energy storage system (BESS) for agricultural users.

The product, which comprises battery energy storage, solar panels, and a diesel generator, can save customers up to 70% of residential and farm energy costs compared to using only diesel generators, according to MTR. The manufacturer said 90% of demand for its agricultural application is for irrigation pivots – lines of sprinklers which rotate around a central point.

The battery element of Vertical Agro will store excess electricity generated by the system’s high-efficiency solar panels for eight, 14, or 24 hours.

The on-site solar panels are further backed up by a high-power diesel generator. Each system features an electrical center which includes power inverters, transformers, and a control and monitoring system.

Clients will receive operations and maintenance support as part of their purchase contract.

“The operating cost of a 1 MW to 2 MW solar plant ranges from BRL 1 million ($184,000), which can be financed with a payback period of three to five years,” said MTR Solar CEO Thiago Rios.

According to Rios, with more irrigation and process optimization, up to three more plantations can be planted per year on the same piece of land, which is a gain not only in energy but also in operations.

“MTR offers all services to rural producers, from purchasing equipment such as modules, fixed structures, and trackers to delivering the entire structure to the site through CT Botelho, the MTR Group’s logistics company,” he said.

GoodWe South America Vice President Fabio Mendes describes the collaboration between GoodWe and MTR as a significant milestone for the Brazilian agricultural sector.

“Our strategic orientation is to foster the development of agribusiness, a rapidly expanding sector, by providing three-phase hybrid solutions that combine sustainability, efficiency, and cost reduction. We are committed to providing cutting-edge technologies that help rural producers achieve energy independence and improve their competitiveness in the global market,” Mendes said.

From pv magazine Brasil.