Análise crítica do processo de licenciamento ambiental de usinas fotovoltaicas

Abstract

On the scenario of growing energy demand and environmental concern, the need to develop alternative generation technologies has emerged. In this context, photovoltaic generation emerged as a good option due to the fact that there is large availability of raw material for generation, which is the sun, and is seen as a low pollution source. Therefore, the environmental licensing process should be structured and controlled to achieve effective results. This study aims to present the situation of photovoltaic generation technology and the environmental licensing. The production process of photovoltaic panels of the commercial technologies based on silicon (polycrystalline, monocrystalline, amorphous silicon, thin film), plus a promising technology (HIT SmartSilicon) are shown. The environmental impacts of the production steps of the panels and the installation of power plants are presented. Later, Brazilian environment laws are characterized, also featuring Minas Gerais law. A relationship between the regulation and the impact to the characterization of environmental control process is made. The Brazilian environmental licensing processes are described, covering the production process of photovoltaic panels and the installation of the plants. Environmental controls from Germany and the United States are presented, as a means of comparison. A comparative analysis of monocrystalline, polycrystalline, HIT SmartSilicon and amorphous silicon cells Life Cycle (LCA) of the production process is made, emphasizing the importance of differentiating the technologies in the environmental impacts study. Structure and organization problems of the licensing system are also identified. Possible solutions in the broader context of environmental control system, and specifically for the photovoltaic generation, are suggested. It is highlighted that better understanding of technologic characteristics and their environmental impacts is needed in order to achieve a fair environmental licensing process. Moreover, it is stated that LCA studies should give the basis for environmental licensing.