PV-hybrid village power systems in Amazonia

The Brazilian Amazon region is an ideal location for isolated mini-grid systems. Hundreds of diesel systems have been installed to supply electricity to this sparsely populated region. However, the availability of renewable energy resources makes the Amazon well-suited to renewable energy systems. This paper describes the technical aspects of two PV hybrid power systems being installed in this region through the cooperative effort of multiple partners: US Department of Energy, through NREL; and Brazilian CEPEL/Eletrobras and state electric utilities.