This model has grown in the country and more than 4 million homes are being supplied with their own solar energy.
Brazil is a powerhouse when it comes to solar energy, and Brazilians are turning to this method of generating electricity more and more every day, especially in a scenario marked by high electricity bills and high tariffs. According to a study by the Brazilian Solar Photovoltaic Association, in August the country reached the mark of 4 million consumer units supplied by solar energy generation on their own properties or through the “energy by subscription” method*. (distributed energy generation).
Solar subscription is particularly suitable for consumers who cannot install solar panels on their own property for whatever reason. “The subscription-based energy model will continue to grow, and we know that the potential of this market is enormous, which will continue to boost solar generation in Brazil, where it already represents the second largest source of generation, with 17% of the electricity matrix,” says Marciliano Freitas, CEO of Desperta Energia, a company focused on energy solutions operating in the subscription energy sector.
However, there are still some myths that confuse consumers, especially when it comes to subscription power. With that in mind, here are the 3 most common myths and 3 facts about the model, to clear up the main doubts the public has:
Subscribing to solar energy poses some risks to my energy supply.
A terrible mistake – A solar subscription poses no risk to your energy supply. This is because the distributor remains responsible for the electricity grid infrastructure, and only offsets the energy credits you have consumed with the subscription energy in their account. If, for any reason, you are not provided with energy credits for the subscription energy to match your consumption, the energy distributor will automatically charge you the difference (at their price). In other words, it does not change anything at all about your infrastructure or the way you receive energy, it only changes who you pay for consumption, nothing more.
Solar subscription makes your electricity bill cheaper
TRUE – By subscribing to solar energy, consumers can reduce their electricity bills, generally saving between 10% and 20% compared to conventional tariffs. This happens because the cost of generating solar energy generated in factories and added to you is less than the value of the franchisee’s tariff, which represents a benefit to your pocket.
I need to spend money, do some work, or make changes to my facilities to subscribe to energy.
A terrible mistake – When you subscribe to solar energy, you do not need to spend money on work or modifications to your home or business. The solar energy subscription works remotely, meaning that the energy is generated at a station located in an area other than your property, and is added to your accounts, which reduces the energy charged by the distributor. All you have to do is sign a contract and start getting credits for the energy generated by the solar power stations, which cost less than the tariff charged by the distributor. Therefore, there is no need to carry out any physical installation, modification or adjustment of your electrical system, and it is sufficient to simply digitally sign the energy subscription contract.
Subscribing to solar energy makes your electricity bill more stable in the long run.
TRUE – When subscribing to a subscription energy, companies in this sector generally do not pass on to the consumer the additional costs of flags and tariffs that, unfortunately, are frequently imposed on consumers. In this way, anyone who subscribes to solar energy via subscription will not face the ups and downs of the bill when these additional amounts appear on the bill. But it is a good idea to check the specific rules that are presented to you for subscribing to an energy subscription to make sure that the additional values of the tariff flags are not passed on.
Do I need to make a loyalty pledge or agree to a penalty if I cancel my energy subscription?
A terrible mistake – Most companies that offer solar power by subscription in Brazil do not require loyalty or impose cancellation penalties. Contracts are generally flexible, allowing you to cancel your subscription without penalty if you wish. This makes it easy to sign up for the service without worrying about long-term commitments or additional costs if you decide to stop the service.
Solar energy is one of the most sustainable options for preserving the environment.
TRUE – By choosing to subscribe to solar energy, you are supporting the generation of clean, renewable energy, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This means that in addition to saving money, you are also contributing to the preservation of the environment and the sustainability of the planet.
*Solar energy by subscription is based on the conditions of cogeneration, a method regulated by Federal Law 14,300/2022 and Normative Resolutions 1,000/2021 and 1,059/2023 of ANEEL. When contracting solar energy by subscription with Desperta Energia, the customer joins an energy consumer association, which owns or owns the solar power plants that generate energy for the benefit of its members. (Consultant awakens energy
