Brazilian energy firm Auren Energy marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of the 48.1-MW Sol do Piaui solar park, a key component of its wind-solar hybrid venture in the northeastern state of Piaui.
The photovoltaic (PV) facility, situated in Curral Novo do Piaui and necessitating BRL 255 million (USD 52m/EUR 47.6m) in investments, represents the inaugural commercial-scale hybrid project in Brazil granted a license by the power sector regulator Aneel.
Comprising 112,080 solar modules, Sol do Piaui operates in tandem with the wind segment of the project, the 206-MW Ventos do Piaui I wind complex, already integrated into the Brazilian Interconnected System (SIN). Both assets now share a common substation, streamlining operational efficiency.
Auren Energia's CEO, Fabio Zanfelice, underscored the innovative nature of the hybrid concept, highlighting its capability to optimize the utilization of the energy transmission network throughout the day. Zanfelice noted that this strategy addresses Piaui's wind characteristics, where wind production predominantly occurs at night.
