January 09

Solar Energy: an opportunity for the semi-arid region?

If one looks at the Solar Atlas of Brazil, one can see that the semi-arid region, the sertão area of the State of Paraiba, and particularly Fazenda Tamanduá, represent the best place for the construction of a solar plant to generate electric power: the highest yearly average insolation, the highest solar radiation per day both in mJ/m2.per day and in wh/m2. per day!

That has not gone unnoticed by the people at Fazenda Tamanduá.

At present, all the power used by the Farm is clean, being generated by Companhia Hidro Elétrica do São Francisco - CHESF, which has the country’s largest electric power generation complex.

The Velho Chico (as the River São Francisco is affectionately called), despite the increasingly irregular rainfall, the growth of irrigated areas and the future transposição (transfer of water to other rivers in the North-east), continues its wonderful work, feeding the whole of the North-eastern region with water and energy. For that reason, it has never been a cause of concern to us.

Click here for the "Atlas Solar do Brasil"

We know that the present level of power consumption is rising at a rapid pace – it may reach 8.9% per year in certain regions in the country – and that this is unsustainable.

The wholesale construction of Small Hydro-electric Plants and the latest large dams will very soon mark the end of power generation from a clean source. We must not forget that these are subject to climate changes and that drought events are increasingly frequent, causing power rationing and crisis, both for industries and homes.

The only alternatives seriously considered nowadays, and receiving heavy investments, are diesel oil or gas-fueled thermo-electric plants, and nuclear plants.
We know that each of these solutions brings with it serious problems, either in terms of CO2 emissions or nuclear waste recycling, as well as the consequences of potential accidents.

Several are already being implemented. But we are sure that all this will just delay slightly the inevitable arrival of a general power shortage.Solar energy, clean and inexhaustible as it is, has enormous potential in the country due to Brazil’s geographical position. Even more so because its greatest availability is in dry regions where agricultural and cattle-raising activities are difficult, there is a significant population, and land is relatively cheap.

An opportunity for the drought-ridden sertão regions? Without a doubt. Fazenda Tamanduá’s team is closely analyzing this opportunity!

Children's Day

Another date that we couldn’t fail to celebrate: CHILDREN’S DAY. This year, we had the participation of artistes from POP the Clown’s Circus, which made this party even more wonderful.

The party started around 3:30 p.m. in the Museum, and all the children from Fazenda Tamanduá, together with some others who came from the town of Patos – accompanied by their parents who also came to give their support – celebrated this day with a lot of fun and surprises.

The party started with the Circus attractions: juggler, acrobat, clowns, and Spaik the dancing dog. Between the performances the children took part, playing games and winning a DVD of the Circus. The performances lasted for two hours, and soon after the long-awaited cake was served, as well as hot-dogs, soft drinks, chocolate sweets, candy-floss, drops and lollipops. And the traditional game “quebra panela” (break the pot), in which the children really enjoy themselves and have fun trying to break a pot, could not be forgotten. Also, all the children received small gifts.

Pierre was not able to be present at the party, but even so, he did not fail to give his support and encouragement. I am very happy always to be able to count on his support, and so I dedicate all my efforts and try to do the best I can.

I am also grateful for the support given by Janailma (the teacher of some of these children), Fátima, Silvana, Célia and Rogéria, who also made their contribution to this beautiful party.

Maria Janailda Gomes

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Fazenda Tamanduá
Caixa Postal 65 - Patos / Paraíba - CEP 58700-970 - Brasil
Tel.(83)3422-7070 Fax(83)3422-7071