With the support from Investe SP, BYD announced the manufacture of photovoltaic solar panels in Campinas
R$ 150 million will be invested in the expansion, generating 200 direct jobs
Investe São Paulo
In a ceremony held at Campinas' City Hall on May 22, the Chinese manufacturer of electric buses, BYD, announced its production of solar power generation panels in a plant to be installed in the city. The company has support from Investe São Paulo, investment promotion agency linked to the State Department for Economic Development, Science, Technology and Innovation.
At the time, Investe SP and BYD signed a memorandum of understanding. According to the document, the company will invest R$ 150 million in the project, creating 200 jobs.
"BYD projects have been met with priority by our team, as the company is investing not only in low environmental impact technologies, but also in innovation through a R&D center. The Investment in solar panels comes to further complement this framework", said the president of the Agency, Juan Quirós.
The president of BYD in Brazil, Tyler Li, highlights the role of the city of Campinas as a center of excellence and innovation for the attraction of BYD to the region. "We are an innovation company so we want to be close to the best universities and research centers in Brazil", he says.
Quirós points out that Investe São Paulo has received several projects related to renewable forms of energy. "Our current moment is conducive to the development of this industry, as solar and wind power has become more competitive. We are confident that we will announce several projects like this in the next two years", he says.
For the mayor of Campinas, Jonas Donizetti, the new investment reinforces the city's vocation as technology hub. "BYD's initiative is rather welcome and, in addition to quality jobs, it brings another choice of sustainable energy generation to the city. We are working hard to make Campinas grow even further with quality of life", he said.
Three dreams of BYD: Electric buses, power storage and solar panels
In June 2014, BYD announced the installation of its first plant in Latin America, which will be built next to a research and development center in Campinas. The work is already in its final phase and the project includes an investment of R$ 200 million, generating 450 direct jobs. The plant will be responsible for assembling electric bus chassis, iron phosphate batteries (vehicles and power storage systems).
BYD Energia's new plant will house the facilities responsible for assembling solar panels in Campinas. The company's R&D center in Brazil will focus on studies and technologies geared towards electric vehicles, batteries, smart grids, solar energy and efficient public lighting (LED).
Considered one of the most innovative companies in the world, BYD is bringing the nickel-iron battery technology, electric buses and now the most efficient generation of photovoltaic panels - the double glass technology. The company also believes in the development of solar arrays to generate clean and cheap energy, and also solutions outside the network (off grid - BYD has decentralized generation systems with solar panels, iron batteries and LED lighting).
About BYD
With an expected investment of US$ 400 million in three new plants in Brazil from 2014 to 2018, BYD is coming vigorously into the Brazilian market. The first plant in Campinas, São Paulo, should open in August 2015 and should house a center for Research and Development (R&D) and vehicle prototyping, in addition to assembling rechargeable batteries and electric buses. The second plant will manufacture photovoltaic solar panels as from January 2016. The third plant, aimed at expanding the local manufacturing of electric bus chassis and manufacturing battery cells, should open between 2017 and 2018. Other products and equipment powered by clean energy must also be added to the local manufacturing portfolio in the near future. For more information, visit: www.byd.com or www.facebook.com/bydcompany