Solar energy
The expansion of solar energy in the subway system of Belo Horizonte This could mark a new chapter in Brazil’s urban energy transition. MetrôBH The company has begun implementing a photovoltaic plant capable of transforming stations, rooftops, and operational yards into energy-producing structures. renewable energy, reducing emissions and lowering operating costs of public transportation.
According to an article published by the Estado de Minas website on March 4th, the project already has thousands of panels installed at the São Gabriel Maintenance Yard and should reach sufficient capacity to supply the entire electrical demand of the 20 stations on Line 1. In addition to the positive environmental impact, the initiative also generates energy credits that can benefit residences near the metro system.
With an investment of R$ 16 million and a goal of achieving up to 95% of energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030, the MetrôBH seeks to consolidate a model that integrates urban mobility and production of solar energy on a large scale. If the schedule is met, the plant could become one of the largest urban photovoltaic structures in Belo Horizonte, even surpassing the installed capacity of the traditional solar project at Mineirão stadium.
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The first stage of the photovoltaic plant installed by MetrôBH It is already in operation and represents a significant advance in the use of solar energy within the urban infrastructure of Belo Horizonte.
In this initial phase, the following were installed 1.966 solar panels on the roof of one of the blocks of the São Gabriel Maintenance Yard. The structure has an estimated generation capacity of 900 kW per monthsufficient electricity to meet a significant portion of the complex’s operations.
The energy generated is used to power equipment essential for the operation of the subway system. This includes maintenance machinery, lighting for operational areas, air conditioning systems, overhead cranes, and other equipment used in the workshops responsible for train maintenance.
The project was designed to take advantage of already urbanized surfaces, mainly rooftops and technical areas of the railway yard. In this way, the plant was built without the need to remove vegetation, which reinforces the sustainable nature of the initiative and expands the environmental benefits associated with its use. renewable energy.
The solar power plant of MetrôBH It is still in the process of expansion and should reach even more impressive numbers in the coming months. The concessionaire responsible for the system announced that the next phase of the project includes the installation of another 4 photovoltaic panels on the ground, expanding the total generation capacity of renewable energy.
With this expansion, the structure should reach approximately 7 thousand solar panels installed until the completion of the deployment, scheduled for June of this yearThe expectation is that energy production will reach approximately 5.220 MWh per year, sufficient volume to meet all the electrical demand of the stations on Line 1.
This level of generation corresponds to an average annual consumption of approximately 2.800 Residences, an indicator frequently used to assess the capacity of projects of solar energy in urban areas.
When the power plant is fully operational, the metro system will be able to reach an installed capacity of approximately 2,65 megawatts (MW). With that, the MetrôBH This could surpass the photovoltaic generation capacity of Mineirão stadium, which currently has an installed capacity of… 1,42 MW.
This growth places the metro among the largest urban producers of clean energy in Belo Horizonte, reinforcing the importance of public infrastructure in the expansion of renewable energy sources.
Another important aspect of the project is related to the energy compensation model used by the utility company. Part of solar energy The energy generated at the São Gabriel Yard is consumed directly by the operational structures of MetrôBHHowever, the surplus production is directed to the electricity grid.
This surplus is converted into energy credits with the utility company Cemig, which manages the distribution of electricity in [the region]. Belo HorizonteThese credits can be used to offset energy consumption in different units of the metro system.
Furthermore, some of these credits have also been directed towards supplying electricity to homes located near subway stations. According to data released by the concessionaire, approximately… 380 homes have already benefited. powered by energy from a solar power plant.
This model expands the social impact of the project and demonstrates how initiatives of renewable energy They can generate direct benefits for the urban population, in addition to contributing to the sustainability of public transport operations.
The adoption of solar energy No. MetrôBH It also brings significant environmental benefits to Belo HorizonteAccording to estimates released by the concessionaire, the new photovoltaic plant will prevent the emission of approximately 469 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) per year.
This volume of avoided emissions is equivalent to the annual absorption capacity of approximately 47 mature trees, a comparison frequently used in environmental studies to illustrate the positive impact of projects of renewable energy.
The reduction in emissions occurs because the energy generated by solar panels replaces electricity that, in many cases, could come from more carbon-intensive sources within the energy system.
Furthermore, installing the panels in already built-up areas avoids additional environmental impacts. Using existing rooftops and technical spaces demonstrates how large urban infrastructures can be adapted to generate clean energy without compromising green areas. This type of strategy is increasingly being adopted in large cities seeking to reduce their emissions and advance towards climate goals.
The advance of solar energy inside MetrôBH It can take on new dimensions with the expansion of the metro system of Belo HorizonteThe concessionaire is already studying the possibility of expanding photovoltaic generation to structures related to the future. Line 2.
This new line is scheduled to be completed by 2028 and should add 10,5 km to the rail network of the capital of Minas Gerais. With the expansion, the metro system will go from 28,15 km to 41,1 km in length, significantly increasing public transport coverage.
The first two stations on Line 2 — New Switzerland e Amazon — are scheduled to open in July this yearWhen fully operational, the line is expected to transport approximately 50 thousand passengers per day, connecting important regions of the city.
Among the neighborhoods served by the new route are Nova Gameleira, Nova Cintra, Vista Alegre and Ferrugem, expanding urban integration and creating new opportunities for the installation of projects of renewable energy associated with transport infrastructure.
the investment in renewable energy Energy efficiency in metro systems is not exclusive to Belo HorizonteSeveral Brazilian capitals have already adopted similar strategies to reduce operational costs and lessen the environmental impact of urban transportation.
The Fortaleza metro system, known as Metrofor, has three solar power plantsIn total, the following were installed: 882 photovoltaic panels at the Padre Cícero and Juscelino Kubitscheck stations, in addition to 662 plates at the Maintenance Center located in the Vila União neighborhood. These facilities have an approximate production capacity of 42 thousand kWh per month.
Another relevant example is the São Paulo Metro, which has a network with 6 lines, 104,2 kilometers in length and 91 stationsIn 2022, the system announced investments in energy recovery technologies, including the use of traction inverters capable of capturing electricity generated during train braking.
In addition, the São Paulo metro system carried out the replacement of 150 fluorescent lamps replaced by LED lighting., a measure that generates an estimated annual savings of R $ million 2.
In Rio de Janeiro, MetrôRio also adopted energy efficiency strategies. The company replaced 8 light bulbs in its facilities and plans to save 45 MWh by 2027, a volume equivalent to the energy consumption of approximately 2.500 families over five yearsThese initiatives demonstrate that metro transportation can play an important role in the energy modernization of cities.
The implementation of the plant solar energy No. MetrôBH This demonstrates how urban infrastructure can play a strategic role in the energy transition. By transforming rooftops and operational yards into power generation units… renewable energyThe metro system is expanding its contribution to the sustainability of Belo Horizonte.
The project brings together environmental, economic, and social benefits. The reduction of carbon emissions, the utilization of urbanized areas, the generation of energy credits, and the potential to supply thousands of homes demonstrate that initiatives of this type can go far beyond the simple production of electricity.
At the same time, the integration between mobility and clean energy generation creates a replicable model for other Brazilian cities. As new lines and stations are built, the potential to expand the use of solar energy The trend within the subway system is to grow.
If the expansion and energy generation plans are maintained, the MetrôBH It could establish itself as one of the most relevant examples of how public transport and renewable energy They can work together to build more sustainable cities.
Hilton Fonseca Liborio is a copywriter with experience in digital content production and SEO skills. He creates optimized texts for different audiences and platforms, striving to combine quality, relevance, and results. He specializes in the automotive industry, technology, careers, renewable energy, mining, and other topics. Contact and pitch ideas: hiltonliborio44@gmail.com
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