Ternium Brazil started to install solar panels in part of the External Bus Station parking lot in its Rio de Janeiro plant.
This is a Research & Development project that involves the manufacture of 800 m² (8600 ft²) of organic photovoltaics (OPV) and the installation of approximately 650 solar panels at strategic points in the plant.
The expectation is that the panels will increase the plant's power generation by up to 13 MW h/year, equivalent to the lighting of the bus station itself and the company's Entrance. At the external bus station, for example, 132 panels will be installed on the even side of the buses for now.
OPV is composed of a flexible plastic substrate (recyclable), on which five layers are printed and, after lamination, they form an electronic device capable of converting light into electrical energy, that is, a photovoltaic film.
"The power generated will be integrated into Ternium's generation, helping to supply consumption. It is a project that shows how the company works with renewable energy and seeks solutions focused on Sustainability", states Werner Riederer, Energy, and Gas consultant.
Solar panels cover part of the parking lot at the company's external bus station.
"Initiatives like this one serve as an indication of the direction we are currently adopting in Ternium's Energy Management", said Marcus Buarque, Energy Business Manager.
Werner adds that the panels will also be installed in part of the parking lot of administrative buildings I and II - making up a section of the covered space - and also in the parking lot of the Thermoelectric. The work is foreseen to be completed next year.