Energia solar fotovoltaica: dimensionamento de uma micro usina para propriedade rural modelo na cidade de Pau dos Ferros-RN.

Electric power is one of the most important resources for humanity today, without it is impossible to perform almost all human activities. However, historically the means of producing electricity came from non-renewable sources. Due to climatic changes and political and economic problems, from the 1970s onwards, there have been countless investments to improve alternative sources of energy, in order to diversify generation, thus reducing the strong dependence on some sources, such as the one derived from fossil fuels, or hydroelectric, for example. Among the alternatives, one of those with great potential (and growing in recent years) is solar energy, which can be used for heating purposes and for electricity generation. The advantage of this technology in relation to the others is the direct conversion of energy through the excitation of electrons in the modules caused by the photons of light. On the contrary, sources such as hydroelectric plants, although renewable, require a driving force that drives the turbines connected to the generator rotor, in addition to requiring large areas for deployment, causing high environmental impacts. Thus, this work aims at the elaboration of a solar energy project for a rural model building located in the municipality of Pau dos Ferros / RN, the calculation of its cost and the investment payback. The methodology used was the bibliographical and documentary research, with the purpose of obtaining the necessary theoretical foundation, together with a case study where a model project of a rural residence was elaborated, selecting the equipment commonly found in such places and estimated the daily power needed to be generated to ensure the operation of all equipment, following the guidance of technical standards such as ABNT NBR 5410/2004 and the local utility standard, Cosern. As a result it was concluded that a total of 52 modules will be needed. In addition, the total cost of implementation of the calculated system was R$ 69,980.70, which compared to the simulator values of some platforms, is consistent. Finally, the calculated payback showed that it will take a full 80 months to get the return on investment.