China announces first photovoltaic panel factory in Brazil.

The president of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), David Barioni, and the vice-president of the BYD Group, Stella Li, announced this Tuesday (19) investments of R$ 150 million for the installation of the first photovoltaic solar panel factory in Brazil. The company's goal is to produce 400 MW of solar panels per year. On the occasion, the Agency and BYD will sign a memorandum of understanding to formalize the investment. The ceremony will take place at the Palácio do Planalto, within the scope of the visit of the Chinese Prime Minister, Li Keqiang.

BYD Energy is part of the BYD Group, a Chinese giant that employs 180 people in 15 facilities around the world. Since 2011, the group has been exploring the Brazilian market and, since then, has had the support of Apex-Brasil, an agency linked to the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC). Last year, the Chinese group invested R$ 100 million in the installation of an electric bus factory in Campinas (SP).

The Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Armando Monteiro, believes that the arrival of a new photovoltaic panel manufacturing plant in Brazil should be celebrated not only for the generation of new jobs, but also for stimulating the development of national industry. "This new unit is an investment in high technology, which will stimulate indirect sectors of our industrial park. These are new jobs in a sector with high technological density. There are many positive factors in this operation."

David Barioni explains that securing foreign investment is a decision that involves a great deal of planning, which is why it takes time to materialize. "It's common for a company to take up to three years to invest the funds. It's a decision involving substantial sums. In this specific case, far beyond the money, the investment represents a technological advancement for Brazil, inaugurating a new frontier in energy production."

Apex-Brasil supports foreign companies with information about the Brazilian market, analysis of operational costs, location of areas for factory installation and, mainly, in governmental dialogue at the three levels: federal, state and municipal.

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The company will also install a research and development center focused on studies and technologies for electric vehicles, batteries, smart grids, solar energy, and lighting. The center and the new panel factory will also be located in Campinas.

"I believe that our commitment to technology and innovation in everything we do will bring Brazilians an alternative in renewable energy to face future challenges and live a healthier and more fulfilling life," says BYD Senior Vice President Stella Li.

By 2017, the BYD Group plans to invest R$ 1 billion in Brazil. According to Adalberto Maluf, director of government relations at BYD Brazil, the investment in solar panels inaugurates a new phase for clean energy. "We will bring cutting-edge technology, called double glass, which will mean photovoltaic solar panels with greater efficiency and durability compared to conventional panels. With this, clean and decentralized generation will become increasingly competitive in Brazil."