en.Wedoany.com Reported - Grupo Carrefour Brasil has entered into a new partnership with GreenYellow to install solar energy systems at 54 of its stores. About two months ago, the group signed a long-term self-generation electricity contract worth 1 billion Brazilian reais with Casa dos Ventos.
The project will cover stores under brands such as Carrefour, Atacadão, and Sam's Club, all of which are part of the retail group. The project is expected to involve an investment of 100 million Brazilian reais from GreenYellow, with an installed capacity of approximately 38 MWp, capable of generating about 56 GWh of electricity annually, enough to meet an average of 30% of the participating stores' electricity needs.
The project adopts a model called Grid Zero, where all electricity generated by the photovoltaic system is consumed locally, with no surplus power fed back into the grid. Installation of the systems began in the first week of June and is expected to be completed within 12 to 14 months. The contract signed between the parties has a ten-year term, after which ownership of the equipment will be transferred to Grupo Carrefour Brasil. Currently, the retailer already operates solar systems under the Grid Zero model at 19 stores.
In addition to reducing energy costs, this initiative will also support the company's sustainability goals. According to the two companies, these systems are expected to avoid approximately 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions annually, equivalent to planting about 10,000 trees.
The project adopts an "Energy as a Service" model, where GreenYellow is responsible for developing, financing, installing, and operating all necessary infrastructure, with no upfront investment required from Carrefour. Under this model, GreenYellow handles all aspects of the project, including system design, equipment procurement, installation, and operation. In return, the customer pays a service fee and receives electricity at a more competitive cost.
Carrefour's choice of the Grid Zero model comes at a time when the electricity sector is discussing the growing impact of distributed generation (DG) on the distribution grid. By not exporting surplus power to the grid, this model reduces the need for interaction between the photovoltaic system and the distribution infrastructure, which has become a focal point in discussions about power flow reversal and restrictions on connecting new projects to the grid.
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