BYD Co. Ltd. and APEX-Brasil have jointly announced that BYD is building its second South American manufacturing facility to produce photovoltaic solar panels. This factory comes to add to BYD’s electric bus manufacturing facility to be opened in July, both in the state of São Paulo.
The solar factory will have an annual output capacity of 400 MW and is slated to open in the first half of 2016, creating another 200 job opportunities for Brazilian citizens, as well as representing a great technological advancement for Brazil, by creating a new front for renewable energy production. According to BYD’s Director of Government Relations Adalberto Maluf, this move inaugurates a new stage of sustainable energy for the country. “Our cutting-edge double glass solar panel will bring unparalleled efficiency and durability, making clean and decentralized power generation increasingly more competitive in Brazil.”
Along with the solar plant, BYD is also installing an R&D center for electric vehicles, energy storage, smart grid, solar power and LED lighting.
In the presence of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Brazilian President Dilma Roussef, two agreements were signed at the Presidential Palace in Brasília on May 19: one for the solar factory construction, and another with major bus body maker Marcopolo to produce Electrified School Buses. BYD’s Senior Vice President Stella Li, said she was extremely honored to be part of a historic moment for both countries, in the presence of such outstanding public leaders.“BYD is bringing into this country the same commitment to technology and innovation that is present in everything we do, everywhere we go, so that Brazilians will have an alternative in renewable energy to face the pressing challenges the future brings, and live healthier and more fulfilling lives.”
The deal was structured through Apex-Brasil, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency that has been supporting BYD since the beginning. Its President David Barioni, spoke of the importance of renewable energy technologies, and how Brazil is at a tipping point at which it must begin adopting these alternative solutions.
