PROSPECTS FOR INTEGRATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY IN ELECTRICITY GENERATION IN RIO GRANDE DO NORTE STATE

The generation of power electricity in Brazil is predominantly renewable generation with internal hydraulic being more than 74% of its total energy matrix. The electricity rationing occurred in 2001, due to lack of rain, led the country to increase the participation of alternative energy sources. This need for new sources of energy makes the regional potential to be exploited, which configures the change of generation model from centralized generation to distributed generation. Among the alternative sources of energy, solar is presented as very promising for Brazil, given that most of its territory is located near to the equator line, which causes a longer duration of the solar day. The Rio Grande do Norte (RN) has one of the highest levels of solar irradiation of the Brazilian territory, making it eligible to receive investments for the installation of photovoltaic solar plants. This article will examine the potential for generation of solar photovoltaics in RN through solarimetrics measurements performed in Natal, the state capital.