In January of this year, the Canal Solar published a report showing that about 70% of Seara's integrated chicken producers in Brazil already use solar energy on their farms. The progress is significant, considering that five years ago this number was only 5%.
Last year alone, photovoltaic generation on the farms of producers integrated into the company reached 205.182.885,60 kWh – enough to supply a city with more than 90 inhabitants for one year.
With the aim of deepening understanding of this initiative and inspiring other companies to adopt sustainable solutions, the Canal Solar interviewed Vamiré Luiz Sens Júnior, executive manager of Agricultural Sustainability at Seara.
During the conversation, the executive detailed the development of the project, the challenges faced and the importance of solar energy for Brazilian agribusiness. He also explained the inspiration behind the initiative and how solar energy has become an essential pillar for the company's sustainability.
Check out the full interview below:
How did the initiative to encourage the use of solar energy among Seara's integrated chicken producers come about?
One of our goals at Seara is to encourage sustainable practices among our integrated companies, such as the use of photovoltaic s. This is a solution that, in addition to reducing production costs, also promotes the use of renewable energy with low environmental impact, which contributes to reducing the carbon footprint.
Through a checklist, we encourage integrated producers based on meeting targets related to animal welfare, waste management and the adoption of renewable energy, such as solar s or biogas. This checklist rewards those who adopt more sustainable solutions.
What were the main challenges faced by Seara and producers to reach the 70% adhesion mark?
One of the main challenges was ensuring that the initial investment was viable for all producers, in addition to adapting the technologies for installing solar s, which require a process of training and constant technical monitoring, which demands time and resources.
Although the reduction in electricity costs is evident, another challenge was raising awareness about the long-term benefits. Therefore, we offer the entire incentive structure to make adoption more attractive and accessible to producers. However, I can say that, having overcome these challenges, the growing adoption of solar energy has become a milestone and a success story in the field.
How does the company measure the positive impact of this transition to solar energy?
We measure this positive impact strategically: by making electricity more sustainable and cheaper. This gives producers more resources to invest in technologies that increase efficiency. This results in a virtuous cycle, as greater efficiency improves the quality of life of the producer and the quality of the final product. This process is also aligned with social and environmental issues, creating a positive impact on several fronts.
What was Seara's role in providing financial or advisory for the installation of photovoltaic s?
We seek to offer true strategic consultancy to producers in the installation of photovoltaic s. With a specialized technical team, we resolve the doubts of integrated producers, in addition to providing them with clear guidance on the most viable and sustainable investments in the long term.
Technical includes adapting the necessary technologies for farms, ensuring that the transition is efficient. Furthermore, as a leader in the sector, Seara has incorporated sustainability into its remuneration policy, reinforcing the importance of good practices and encouraging producers to follow suit, leveraging environmental commitment.
How does the use of solar energy reflect in the reduction of production costs for poultry farmers?
In addition to the environmental benefits, renewable energy helps reduce electricity costs, which is the second largest expense on farms. The installation of solar s, for example, can pay for itself in around two years, considering the savings generated compared to the conventional system.
With solar power, farms become more self-sufficient, generating their own electricity and decreasing dependence on the power grid, which also reduces the impact of power outages or price fluctuations. Furthermore, solar systems require little maintenance, which reduces additional costs. As a result, properties with sustainable infrastructure have a higher value on the market.
In addition to cost reduction, what are the main environmental benefits generated by the use of solar energy on farms?
In addition to significantly reducing operating costs, which can represent up to 26% of production costs on farms, solar energy brings significant environmental benefits. By reducing dependence on conventional sources, photovoltaic energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the decarbonization of production.
This change not only improves the sustainability of operations, but also transforms the savings generated into more advantageous margins for producers. In this way, solar energy provides a competitive advantage, in addition to strengthening the commitment to environmentally responsible practices, making farms more sustainable and efficient.
Is the use of solar energy part of Seara's larger sustainability strategy? What are the next steps?
Yes, the use of solar energy has become a key part of Seara's decarbonization strategy, which aims to promote production with low environmental impact. Solar energy, due to its reduced carbon footprint, is fully aligned with our goals.
The next steps on this journey include further expanding the use of photovoltaic energy, which already has a strong presence in agriculture, but without losing sight of other innovative solutions.
Pig farming, for example, presents itself as a fertile field for the use of biodigesters, which can transform waste into energy. We plan to intensify our actions in the coming years, exploring new ways of generating sustainable energy to further strengthen our decarbonization strategy.
Regarding the technical and operational aspects, how does the process of integrating solar s into poultry houses work, especially in relation to automation and control of internal environments?
The integration of solar s on farms is a meticulously planned process, focused on ensuring the comfort and well-being of the animals, with all the necessary ambiance and air conditioning from the first days until the production or rearing phase.
To achieve this, we have a specialized team that trains and monitors producers, ensuring that the internal environments meet the specific needs of each farm. From an operational point of view, the process begins with choosing qualified companies that offer customized solar energy projects for each situation.
Our guidance from Seara is for the producer to seek at least three quotes to compare the best options and then share the project with an expert, who will help with the critical evaluation and refinement of the choice.
After this stage, the producer can seek financial resources from banks and partners to make the investment viable. The return on investment, with a payback period of three to four years, makes the project a safe and profitable option, transforming solar energy into a strategic ally for improving integration processes in the medium and long term.
What kind of technical does Seara offer producers to ensure the efficiency of solar systems? Is there a maintenance and monitoring plan for the productivity of photovoltaic s?
We offer full technical to ensure solar systems operate at maximum efficiency on farms. To this end, each project is accompanied by a technical specification that includes a periodic maintenance plan, focusing on cleaning and sanitizing the solar s.
The technician responsible for the project guides producers on the appropriate materials and best practices to keep the surfaces of the plates in good condition, preserving their performance over time.
We also work to ensure that integrated producers receive all the necessary instructions to monitor the efficiency of the system, ensuring that the productivity of the solar s remains high and consistent.
Regarding policies and relationships with producers, what criteria are included in the checklist of good production practices that encourage the adoption of solar s? What has the been like from producers who have already adopted solar energy?
from producers has been extremely positive. The increasing efficiency of photovoltaic s is directly reflected in increased operations and more advantageous profit margins.
With the evolution of technologies and greater competitiveness in the market, the cost of investment has decreased, making solar energy increasingly accessible and with an even more attractive financial return. In addition to structural and procedural adequacy criteria, the checklist also includes sustainability items.
The ESG criteria, in addition to the installation of renewable energy sources on farms, such as photovoltaic s, also include the implementation of a program for the identification, separation and correct disposal of solid waste and the adaptation of farms to animal welfare standards. Farms that engage in all three areas are entitled to the bonus.
This not only benefits the environment, but also brings an additional advantage to producers, by recognizing and rewarding practices that generate greater efficiency. This has been crucial in driving producer engagement and increasing adoption of solar energy in the field, creating a cycle of both economic and sustainable benefits.
Regarding future plans, does Seara have any internal goal of reaching 100% of producers with solar energy or another future target? Are there partnerships with financial institutions or government programs to facilitate the expansion of solar energy among producers?
We have an ambitious but realistic goal of progressively increasing the number of producers using solar energy, year after year. Although the goal of reaching 100% is challenging, we are committed to expanding the adoption of this technology, always attentive to the innovations that may emerge, suring even photovoltaic energy.
To facilitate this transition, we have partnerships with financial institutions, which help producers obtain the necessary resources to invest in renewable energy projects. This collaboration strengthens engagement with sustainable best practices and ensures continued growth on this journey.
How does Seara assess the role of solar energy in the context of the energy transition in Brazil? How can these initiatives be replicated in other Brazilian agribusiness production chains?
We see solar energy as a fundamental pillar in Brazil's energy transition, especially in a scenario of water scarcity, in which the cost of conventional energy rises due to high demand and low production.
We believe that photovoltaic energy is an efficient solution that not only makes operations more sustainable, but also ensures long-term economic viability. After all, the needs to be balanced, without going into the red. Furthermore, we see the potential to replicate these initiatives in various Brazilian agribusiness production chains.
The use of solar s can benefit pig farming, turkey production and even dairy farming, where energy consumption is high, especially in confined and air-conditioned environments. In this way, solar energy appears to be a strategic and competitive solution, which can be adapted to different contexts in agribusiness.
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