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Solar roofs in Brazil

May 23, 2011

Solar power is still in its infancy in Brazil despite ideal weather conditions. But one residential complex in Rio shows things don't have to stay that way.

Attach new solar moduls © Marina Lohrbach
Image: Fotolia/M.Lohrbach

Project goal: Introducing solar thermal water heating in social housing projects
Project scale: The pilot project foresees outfitting 500 social housing units in Rio de Janeiro
Investment: 1,217,555 euros
Approach: Installing solar thermal heating, training, developing national qualitystandards, drawing up strategies to implement these measures with the Brazilian environment ministry.

Solar power is still rarely used in Brazil, despite ideal climate conditions and rising gas and electricity costs. But a new residential complex with solar-thermal water heating is under construction in Rio de Janeiro. City authorities have earmarked the new housing for poor families from the favelas.

A film by Manuela Kasper-Claridge

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