Amazon Kit: Proposal for an Innovative Energy Generation and Storage Solution for Sustainable Development of Isolated Communities

Abstract

Inequality and the lack of basic services are problems that affect some regions of the Amazon. Among these services, electricity is considered essential for quality of life, but it is still scarce. In some cases, the absence of electricity brings with it concerns that impact human health, well-being, and development. In this context, this research proposes to develop the sizing of a modular and expandable system for generating electricity with off-grid energy storage to serve single-family homes of river dwellers (from 2 to 8 people) in isolated communities in the Amazon. The research presents and demonstrates the Proknow-C systematic methodology, which shows a systematic approach to rigorous and structured literature reviews. The Amazon Kit concept covers the systems and configurations that can be proposed for single-family homes in the Amazon. The sizing of the Amazon Kit is carried out, ranging from data mapping to estimating consumption per person in homes, followed by the analytical calculation of the solar photovoltaic system—off the grid, considering the basis of the CRESESB portal. SAM (version 2023.12.17) and HOMER PRO^® (Version 3.16.2) software is used to simulate and validate the systems. Thus validating the sizing and configuration according to the mapped data and per capita consumption and validating the operability and functionality according to the operating regime, respectively. In this manner, the system depicted in the design and specifications can be adapted to the requirements of single-family dwellings. Furthermore, it offers convenient system maintenance, with an inverter that operates in various configurations (on, off, and zero grid), as well as energy storage for days without sunlight or system maintenance. As a result, the system uses renewable technologies to provide electricity services, filling a significant gap in the literature found in the research. It also offers a sustainable and affordable solution to improve the quality of life and reduce dependence on non-renewable sources.

1. Introduction

The technological advances in the age of digitalization and information, the use of robotics, the internet, and artificial intelligence have brought about a series of improvements in quality of life and the practicality of carrying out professional and well-being activities. Every day, new technologies emerge that make human life easier. One example is virtual reality (metaverse) and assisted technologies, which have become a reality in large cities with higher-speed internet access (broadband) [1].

Despite all the technological developments in the 21st century, according to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), around 733 million people in the world still do not have access to electricity. Approximately 50% of this population lives in rural areas, riverside communities, border areas, or areas affected by conflict [2].

This represents around 17.4% of the world’s rural population and 12.7% of the urban population who do not have access to electrification. In other words, at the current rate, there will still be 670 million people without access to electricity by 2030. Progress must be quadrupled to ensure that all sustainable development goals (SDGs) of access to clean, reliable, and modern energy are met (SDG 7) [2]. SDG 7 aims to ensure universal access to energy services by 2030, thus increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy matrix.

It should be noted that Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), in terms of inequality of access and opportunity, is ranked as one of the regions with the greatest deficit in the world, according to the GINI index. This index measures social inequalities and the level of income concentration and is published in the Sustainable Development Report, ranking ahead of only regions in Asia and Africa [3]. Despite recent improvements, the levels of inequality reduction have not made significant progress and are being distributed unevenly. This is particularly evident in rural areas, arid and semidesert zones, riverside and border communities, or those affected by conflicts [4,5].

In the case of Brazil, the public electricity service still does not serve the entire Brazilian population. According to an estimate made by IEMA [6], in the legal Amazon region alone, around one million people still live in a situation of electrical exclusion. As can be seen in Figure 1, the state in red is the state of Amazonas, which shows the areas served by the isolated system (SISOL) in gray and those served by the national interconnected system (SIN) in green. Expanding access to electricity is essential to promoting socio-economic development. In another case, Solidade [7] highlights that currently, in the state of Amazonas, most communities in the interior have sporadic access to energy (ca. 4 h a day) through generators powered by diesel, a fossil fuel that, in addition to being polluting, generates high financial costs. At the meeting of municipalities in Amazon, the role of municipalities in the energy transition in Amazonas state was discussed [8]. It was highlighted that there are rural and riverside communities in the Amazon region without access to even a diesel-powered generator. Therefore, several factors stand out, such as the logistics of reaching certain communities and some trips taking days along the gigantic Amazon rivers. Communication is another factor, as there is no telephone, and both are linked to the lack of electricity. Another point to highlight is the lack of technicians who can provide immediate support for problems with solar energy equipment, which is why it is necessary to train the community. The factors need to be aligned and functional so that it is possible to provide quality of life, income generation, access to health without losing medicines, food security, and finally, ensure the social prosperity of riverside dwellers in the Amazon [7,8,9].

In this context, and with a view to contributing to the solution of this problem, the aim of this research is to develop a study of the sizing of a solar photovoltaic system, which is modular and expandable. This system will serve single-family homes (from 2 to 8 people) of riverside dwellers in isolated communities in the state of Amazon. Despite the high implementation cost of the Amazon kit, it is highlighted that this is the best technical, economic, and environmental solution for application in communities in the Amazon region. These communities are located on islands or jungle areas with access exclusively by waterways, requiring 2 to 8 h of navigation in small boats. Additionally, due to the distance of tens or hundreds of kilometers from an electrical grid, constructing long stretches of network for single-family homes (from 2 to 8 people) service becomes economically unfeasible, making microgeneration the most viable alternative. Furthermore, being a modular and expandable kit, it allows for the reduction of maintenance, stock, and technician displacement costs, enabling the creation of a unique training program for community members to verify the system. In Brazil, energy utilities are obligated to provide electricity, and this is also considered an action of social inclusion. This paper’s contributions are as follows:

Application of Proknow-C Methodology: The presentation and demonstration of the Proknow-C systematic methodology for building a technological roadmap. This systematic approach allows for rigorous and structured literature reviews.

Electrification Challenge in the Amazon: Recognizing the scarcity of electricity as a significant barrier to development and well-being, the research addresses the lack of access to basic services in isolated communities in the state of Amazon.

Modular and Flexible Photovoltaic Solar System: An innovative and adaptable system is proposed, designed to meet the needs of riverside single-family homes. This scalable and easy-to-maintain solution is not limited to the state of the Amazon region and can be adapted for other isolated communities.

Contributions to Sustainability: By using renewable technologies such as photovoltaic solar energy and off-grid storage, the study offers a sustainable and affordable solution aligned with sustainable development goals [10].

Advanced Methodological and Technological Approach: Highlighting the use of advanced software for system sizing, simulation, and validation, the paper presents a rigorous and evidence-based approach to developing sustainable energy solutions.

Potential Social and Economic Impact: By providing access to basic electricity services, the proposed system has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life and drive development in rural communities in the state of Amazon.

The paper is structured with an Section 1 that provides the necessary background, highlighting the importance of the topic, the objective, and the contributions of the project. Section 2 presents the state of the art, showing the development of the Proknow-C method used to analyze the bibliography in the databases and thus check for gaps in the literature. Section 3 presents the conceptual idea of the system, showing the possible configurations and installations that the product could have at the end of the research. Section 4 presents the sizing of the Amazon Kit, mapping the data and estimating the electricity consumption of people per household, continuing with the analytical calculation for the modules, inverters, and energy storage system that will be used according to the different consumptions, and the computer simulation and validation which is achieved with the help of the System Advisor Model (SAM) [11] and Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER PRO^®) [12] software. Section 5 presents the design and specifications of the final product, with the result of the final system and the possible configurations after performing the computer simulation and validation. Finally, the final considerations and the references used and studied for the development of the research.

2. Technological Roadmap Using the Proknow-C Method

This section presents the state of the art using the systematic methodology Knowledge Development Process Constructivist (Proknow-C) [13,14]. The Proknow-C method integrates both bibliometric analysis and critical assessment to comprehensively survey and evaluate relevant works within a specific research domain. The Proknow-C methodology encompasses several rigorous stages, including the selection of a pertinent article portfolio, bibliometric analysis, and a systematic assessment of the bibliographic portfolio. These stages are designed not only to identify relevant literature but also to provide a structured framework for evaluating the quality and relevance of the selected citations. By utilizing Proknow-C, the goal is to ensure that our literature review not only captures a breadth of relevant studies but also critically assesses their contributions and limitations within the context of our research objectives. Regarding the relevance of citations from a scientometric perspective, it is important to note that Proknow-C facilitates a comprehensive analysis that goes beyond mere citation counts. It allows for a qualitative assessment of the literature, considering factors such as impact, novelty, and methodological rigor, which are crucial for identifying seminal works and current trends in the field [13,14].

The project begins with a description of the methodological procedures as a starting point, culminating in the selection and discussion of the progress of the main scientific research related to electricity services in the state of Amazon in recent years. In this context, according to the Proknow-C methodology, the following steps were followed: selection of the bibliographic portfolio (BP), bibliometric analysis, systemic analysis of the BP, and formulation of the research hypothesis.

Therefore, following the stages, Proknow-C was carried out for the topic entitled “Development of a pilot system to serve isolated communities in the Amazon (Amazon Kit)”. Two main axes are combined: electricity services in LAC and the use of photovoltaic systems in the Amazon region. The keywords used for each axis are shown in

Table 1. Keywords used to search the bibliography.

Combinations	GS	SC	WoS
Amazonian AND drinking water AND Photovoltaic System	16	0	0
Amazônia OR drinking water AND photovoltaic system	380	119	7
Amazônia AND drinking water OR photovoltaic system	133	45	16
Amazônia OR água potável AND energia solar	104	1	7
(“Amazonian” OR “Amazônia” OR “Amazon” OR “Amazonas”) AND (“Photovoltaic System” OR “PV” OR “FV” OR “SFV”) AND (“electricity” OR “Electric” OR “Energia eléctrica” OR “Energia Eletrica”)	997	39	0
Total number of articles per base	1630	204	30
Gross Articles Base (GAB)	1864

, and the combinations made totaled five combinations on 10 May 2024. These were searched in the scientific bibliographic databases Scopus (SC), Web of Science (WoS), and Google Scholar (GS) with the help of the Publish or Perish^® program (version 8.12.4612). Based on this, the bank of raw articles was developed, considering articles since 2013.

The GAB initially contained 1864 titles and was imported into the Zotero bibliographic management tool. After reviewing academic titles and abstracts relevant to the research topic, the bibliographic portfolio was obtained. With articles that address the social side of the project problem and the technical and industrial side, showing the techniques and solutions found for the project. In addition, dissertations and theses were considered relevant to the subject, as well as open access articles contributing to complementing the state of the art.

In the portfolio, there is a lack of technology implemented or installed in the Amazon on the subject. For this reason, a BP is presented with the systems currently available on the market and which are used in other isolated areas. The BP contains 13 articles that are currently considered relevant to the research topic, as shown in

Table 2. Technological and industrial portfolio with the number of citations.

N°	Articles	Cit.	Year	Ref.
1	Review of solar photovoltaic water pumping system technology for irrigation and community drinking water supplies	322	2015	[15]
2	A stand-alone hybrid photovoltaic, fuel cell and battery system: A case study of Tocantins, Brazil	109	2013	[16]
3	Floating PV system as an alternative pathway to the amazon dam underproduction	35	2021	[17]
4	The influence of the solar radiation database and the photovoltaic simulator on the sizing and economics of photovoltaic-diesel generators	22	2020	[18]
5	Technical evaluation of a PV-diesel hybrid system with energy storage: Case study in the Tapajós-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve, Amazon, Brazil	20	2020	[19]
6	Are the rural electrification efforts in the Ecuadorian Amazon sustainable?	17	2016	[20]
7	Hybrid system assessment in on-grid and off-grid conditions: A technical and economical approach	7	2021	[21]
8	Photovoltaic energy in the enhancement of indigenous education in the Brazilian Amazon	6	2019	[22]
9	Designing of an off-grid Photovoltaic system with battery storage for remote location	4	2021	[23]
10	Feasibility of using photovoltaic solar energy for water treatment plants	2	2021	[24]
11	Study of energy alternatives based on renewable generation sources for the electrification of isolated systems in the Amazon	0	2023	[25]
12	Amazon energy transition: The need to accelerate emission reduction by the extensive adoption of solar photovoltaics and storage in Brazil	0	2024	[26]
13	Stochastic financial analysis of diesel generation extension vs investment in hybrid photovoltaic-diesel-battery in a microgrid in the Amazon indigenous community	0	2023	[27]

.

Table 2 shows the list of articles, ordered from the highest to the lowest number of citations. It is worth noting that there are articles that could not be found in the research databases due to the limited number of results. This would require a search with raw data in order to select among the works that present technological development for the research topic.

The bibliometric analysis shows the scientific recognition variables of the articles, authors, journals, and countries. The 13 BP articles were analyzed according to the year of publication, as shown in Figure 2a. It can be seen that the last 4 years account for 69% of BP publications. Figure 2b shows the recognition of BP articles by the number of individual article citations and the year of publication in order to understand the growing and relevant density of recent publications in the last 5 years.

In the analysis, the most relevant means of publication are journals, which account for 12 articles, representing 90% of the BP, while 1 article, representing 10% of the BP, comes from conferences. Figure 3 shows the 10 most frequent means of publication for the research.

Among the articles, the country of origin of the BP authors was analyzed. With 28 authors, Brazil is the country with the most relevant research, followed by Colombia, India, and the United States of America. It is worth noting that the Amazon region is made up of the countries of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guiana, French Guiana, Suriname, and Venezuela, of which only two present relevant research for the project, as can be seen in Figure 4.

In this context, two main groups were identified by the authors: the first axis brings together articles on the social reality of isolated communities faced with the lack of electricity service; the second axis refers to articles that deal with different photovoltaic systems in the Amazon or in other communities.

From this perspective, for axis one, the author [20] presents an assessment of the sustainability of rural electrification programs in Ecuador, paying special attention to programs aimed at small indigenous communities in the Amazon basin. In addition, the author [22] presents the contributions that photovoltaic energy has made to the educational activities of the Kalapalo ethnic group living in the Aiha village (indigenous land of the Xingu), showing that it has brought clear improvements in working, teaching, and learning conditions.

The author [25], presents a state-of-the-art on the main sources of renewable energy used in Brazil and the Amazon, characterizing the current costs of generating electricity in these isolated communities. In addition, the author [26] compares the situation of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the supply of electricity to the two Brazilian power generation systems: the National Interconnected System (SIN) and the Isolated Systems (SISOL), thus evaluating the energy policies adopted to boost new technologies.

For axis two, some authors present research, such as the author [15], who carries out a review of solar pumping technologies and a comparison with systems based on electricity or diesel. He demonstrates that solar pumps have a return on investment of between 4 and 6 years. Similarly, ref. [24] carries out a feasibility study on the supply of photovoltaic solar energy for the electrical needs of drinking water and sewage treatment plants in six regions of Colombia, considering different geographical and climatological conditions.

On the other hand, authors have presented hybrid technologies, such as the author [18]. He evaluated the differences in results when adopting five different solar irradiation databases in the sizing of solar photovoltaic-diesel hybrid generators designed to supply electricity to isolated mini-grids.

The author of [21] shows a study of hybrid systems that can be implemented in small and medium-sized consumers in the Amazon region of Brazil, as well as generating a new market option for utilities.

In the same context, the author [17] presents an evaluation of the benefits of adding floating photovoltaic systems to the side of existing dams in the Amazon. This would improve energy sources and provide an alternative way to meet the growing demand for energy without the need for more dams.

Similarly, the author [19] analyzed a case study of a hybrid photovoltaic-diesel system with the help of the HOMER PRO^® software installed in the Tapajós-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve in the Brazilian Amazon. The result is a technically viable system that can be replicated as a reliable energy source in other areas of the reserve.

The author of [16] evaluated a photovoltaic-fuel cell-battery system for supplying electricity in an environmental protection area located in the state of Tocantins, Brazil. The study focused on technical and cost aspects and confirmed that the best option for storing energy is still the use of batteries.

The author of [27] presented an economic analysis using a Monte Carlo Simulation comparing the extension of diesel capacity versus a photovoltaic-diesel-battery (PVDB) system in the Maruwai indigenous community in the state of Roraima (Brazil). Showing that the hybrid system with photovoltaic cells and batteries is more economically viable, the hybrid PVDB system is economically attractive, but needs political incentives to mitigate uncertainties about the average return for the investor. With this in mind, the author [16] presents research showing an off-grid solar photovoltaic system using batteries, indicating that the most critical stage of the project was the sizing of the battery bank.

During the comprehensive analysis, studies were identified that address electricity problems independently. In addition, there are studies that combine renewable and non-renewable technologies, such as photovoltaic systems in conjunction with diesel systems. However, there is a lack of technologies or studies that adopt a modular and scalable approach, using exclusively renewable technologies to jointly address the challenges of access to electricity services in the Amazon region. This gap highlights the need for further research and the potential for innovation in the area. It is important to highlight the contribution of this study to improving the quality of life of people living in rural and isolated areas.

3. Amazon Kit: Concept

In this section, after researching the literature and finding a large gap between the different works presented, the concept or idea of the project is presented. The literature shows a need for a system that can be adapted to the reality of isolated communities in the Amazon.

Getting around is a problem that affects the Amazon since there is no road system, and it is necessary to use maritime transportation systems, which use fossil fuels such as diesel, which are expensive and polluting for the environment [28]. Therefore, a differential in the product is that it is lighter to transport and has less impact on the environment. In addition, this transportation concern also impacts any type of maintenance or monitoring of the systems or equipment to be installed; therefore, it must be considered when sizing and configuring the system.

Based on the technologies on the market, this work targeted a sustainable system for electricity management in the Amazon. Renewable technologies, including photovoltaic systems (SPV) connected to the grid, off-grid, and zero grid, transform sunlight into electricity in a clean and sustainable way.

For isolated riverside communities in the Amazon, SPV—off-grid with an energy storage system is needed for days when the Sun is out or for routine maintenance. The architecture of the system must be considered when installing it, as it can be installed on the roofs of houses, on the ground, or outside. Weather and environmental problems in the region must be considered to guarantee the safety of the system’s equipment.

As shown in Figure 5, images 1 and 2 show the different installation architectures, and images 3 and 4 show the architectures used to guarantee the safety of the equipment, such as the inverter, energy storage system, and load controllers, among others.

Considering all the factors presented, it is necessary to have a standard off-grid photovoltaic system that meets the energy consumption of a minimum and maximum number of people per household. This is in order to obtain a set of equipment (Amazon Kit) that provides the electricity needed for consumption per household. As well as allowing the systems to be expanded according to the needs of people in the Amazon.

In this setting, the research proposal seeks to present a modular and expandable system that is easy to maintain and transport. This is in order to improve the quality of life of people living in rural areas, especially isolated communities in the Amazon. Based on technologies on the market, Figure 6 shows the design of the Amazon Kit.

4. Amazon Kit: Project and Sizing

In this section, after presenting the research problem and analyzing the literature using the Proknow-C method, it is presented the data mapping, consumption estimation, analytical calculation, simulation, and computational validation of the Amazon Kit.

4.1. Mapping Data and Estimating Consumption

This subsection will detail the mapping of the average irradiation index of the northern region, where the Amazon is located, and the estimated energy consumption. This is based on the amount of equipment, the hours of daily use and the power of the equipment used per person in the homes.

4.1.1. Average Irradiation Index

To analyze the average irradiation indices for the northern region, which will serve as a basis for estimating electricity generation in Amazonas. Measuring the average irradiation index seeks to measure the global solar radiation incident on the PV module. Often, these data are not available, and it is necessary to use data processing methods to estimate the quantities of interest. To obtain a good estimate of the radiation incident on the plane of the module, current shading elements, potential shading elements, and nearby reflective surfaces, including the ground, must be considered.

For sizing, the Sun Data tool from the Sérgio de S. Brito Reference Center for Solar and Wind Energy—CRESESB [29] will be used, which uses Equation (1) for total irradiation on an inclined surface. Where, $H_{\beta T}^d$ is the total irradiation on an inclined surface; $H_g^d$ is the global irradiation measured horizontally; $K_d={\displaystyle \frac{H_d^d}{H_g^d}}$ is the ratio between the diffuse and global irradiation on the horizontal surface; $R_B$ is the correction factor due to the change in the angle of incidence of the sun’s rays on the inclined surface; $\rho$ is the surface albedo, defined as the irradiation reflected by a surface over the irradiation incident on that surface; $\beta$ is the angle of inclination; and the term ${\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}}(1-\mathit{cos}\beta )$ is the ratio between the irradiation incident on the inclined surface and the radiation reflected by the ground. For project calculations, the angle of inclination equal to the local latitude will be considered. The monthly average daily solar irradiation can also be obtained from Equation (2).

$${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathsf{\beta }\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{d}}={\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{g}}^{\mathrm{d}}[\left(1-{\mathrm{K}}_{\mathrm{d}}\right){\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{B}}+\mathsf{\rho }{\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}}(1-\cos \mathsf{\beta })+{\mathrm{K}}_{\mathrm{d}}{\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}}(1+\cos \mathsf{\beta }\left)\right]$$

(1)

$$\mathrm{I}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{n}={\displaystyle \frac{{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{x}}}{\mathrm{E}\mathrm{f}\mathrm{f}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{y}·\mathrm{A}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{a}}}$$

(2)

In order to investigate the solar resources available in the North region, the assistance of CRESESB and the database of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory—NREL were utilized, whereby the minimum and maximum irradiation rates of the region were determined. It is worth noting that the last database is part of the Department of Energy of the United States of America, and CRESESB is a database from Brazil, thus making the data collection for the project more robust and justified.

Figure 7 shows that solar irradiation in the North can vary from 4323 Wh/m² day to 5566 Wh/m² day, with states such as Pará and Tocantins having larger irradiation profile ranges than the other states in the region. In Amazonas, where our project will be implemented, the index varies from around 4323 Wh/m² day to 4664 Wh/m² day. The availability of solar energy in each location depends on the position of the Sun, which varies with latitude, season, and time of day. The latitude and altitude of the locations determine the intensity of the radiation received. In addition, atmospheric factors such as cloud cover, the presence of aerosols, and pollution affect the amount of solar radiation that reaches the surface [29].

4.1.2. Estimated Energy Consumption

For an SPV to generate electricity, it will be necessary to carry out an assessment of energy needs. This will consider the collection and calculation of parameters such as the amount of equipment, hours of operation, and power consumed daily by each piece of equipment. These values may vary according to the number of members per household.

Another relevant factor is the number of days of autonomy since the loads must be powered even during periods when there is no solar energy production, at night, or on sunless days. For this, it is essential to have an energy storage system.

In order to estimate the loads and electricity consumption, it is necessary to calculate the forecast energy consumed in the SPV, expressed in terms of Watt–hours consumed per day. To do this, Equation (3) was used, where ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{E}}$ represents energy consumption, ${\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{r}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{g}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{q}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{p}}$, the nominal power of the equipment, and $\mathrm{N}°{\mathrm{h}}_{\mathrm{f}}$ is the number of hours of daily use. In addition, the number of days the equipment is used per month was also considered in the calculation, represented by $N°d_m\left(d\right)$.

$${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{E}}\left(\mathrm{k}\mathrm{W}\mathrm{h}\right)={\displaystyle \frac{{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{r}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{g}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{q}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{p}.}\left(\mathrm{W}\right)\times \mathrm{N}°{\mathrm{h}}_{\mathrm{f}}\left(\mathrm{h}\right)\times \mathrm{N}°{\mathrm{d}}_{\mathrm{m}}\left(\mathrm{d}\right)}{1000}}$$

(3)

Estimates of equipment load will be supported by data provided by the National Energy Conservation Program—PROCEL [31], which is responsible for raising consumer awareness about the energy consumption of home appliances. Therefore, it has a large database updated in accordance with the reality in Brazil. These data contributed to the analysis of the use of each appliance, including the average number of hours it is on and the quantity per household in the Amazon, as shown in

Table 3. Mapping equipment loads in an Amazonian home.

Equipment	Power (W)	Hours of Use (h/day)	Consumption (kWh/Month)
Lamp	9.00	5.00	1.35
TV	50.00	5.00	7.50
Refrigerator	56.93	24.00	40.98
Fan	126.00	7.00	26.46
Microwave	700.00	0.04	0.88
Cell phone	22.50	2.00	1.35
Computer	45.00	2.00	2.70
Modem	9.00	24.00	6.48
Electric iron	900.00	0.25	0.90
Blender	550.00	0.03	0.55
Wash clothes	600.00	1.00	2.40

.

After estimating the list and consumption of equipment in a home in the Amazon, as shown above, the next step is to create a table based on the number of residents per home, which varies from 2 to 8 people. To do this, this work followed the data provided by PROCEL to determine the number of appliances per home, as shown in Table 3.

Table 4. Quantity of equipment according to the number of residents in the home.

Equipment	Number of People per Residence
	#2 People	#4 People	#6 People	#8 People
Lamp	4	4	4	4
TV	1	1	1	1
Refrigerator	1	1	1	1
Fan	1	2	3	4
Microwave	1	1	1	1
Cell phone	1	2	3	4
Computer	1	1	1	1
Modem	1	1	1	1
Electric iron	1	1	1	1
Blender	1	1	1	1
Wash clothes	1	1	1	1

shows the difference in equipment, such as fans and cell phones, where one device is considered for every two people. The other equipment is considered the same for all households, the difference being the number of hours of daily operation.

Table 5. Equipment operating time and monthly consumption depending on the number of residents in the home.

Equipment/Hours and Days of Operation	Number of People Per Residence
	#2 People		#4 People		#6 People		#8 People
	${\mathit{h}}_{\mathit{f}}$ (h/Day)	${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{m}}$ (d/Month)	${\mathit{h}}_{\mathit{f}}$ (h/Day)	${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{m}}$ (d/Month)	${\mathit{h}}_{\mathit{f}}$ (h/Day)	${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{m}}$ (d/Month)	${\mathit{h}}_{\mathit{f}}$ (h/Day)	${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{m}}$ (d/Month)
Lamp	5.00	30	5.00	30	5.00	30	5.00	30
TV	5.00	30	5.00	30	5.00	30	5.00	30
Refrigerator	24.00	30	24.00	30	24.00	30	24.00	30
Fan	7.00	30	7.00	30	7.00	30	7.00	30
Microwave	0.04	30	0.08	30	0.13	30	0.17	30
Cell phone	2.00	30	2.00	30	2.00	30	2.00	30
Computer	2.00	30	2.00	30	2.00	30	2.00	30
Modem	24.00	30	24.00	30	24.00	30	24.00	30
Electric iron	0.25	4	0.50	4	0.75	4	1.00	4
Blender	0.03	30	0.03	30	0.03	30	0.03	30
Wash clothes	1.00	4	1.00	8	1.00	12	1.00	16
Total Consumption (kWh/month)	95.6		127.6		159.6		191.6

shows the number of hours the equipment operates and the monthly consumption of each household. Most of the appliances have the same operating time, except for the microwave and the electric iron, whose operating time doubles according to the number of people. On the other hand, in the case of the washing machine, the increase is related to the number of days used in the month, due to the presence of more people in the households.

After estimating the equipment used, the quantity of equipment, the operating time per household and the calculated monthly consumption, it is observed an upward trend in consumption of 31.99 kWh/month. The consumption varies between households as the number of residents in the household increases, with consumption ranging from 95.6 to 191.6 kWh/month.

4.2. Analytical Calculation

In this subsection, after the estimated consumption mapping, the analytical calculation for the PV module, inverter, and energy storage system is presented.

For the analytical calculation of the Amazon Kit, it is first necessary to choose the system configuration, which in this project is an off-grid system, but which can be on-grid or zero-grid according to people’s needs. Next, the voltage value to be adopted must be defined, be it 12, 24, or 48 V, depending on the size of the system. Also, the limitations of the specifications of the components such as the inverter, and the difficulty of dealing with high currents. The analytical calculation begins with the photovoltaic panel (Figure 6A), calculating the energy produced by the PV panel using Equation (4):

$$E_{mod}\left[Wh\right]={\eta }_{mod}·I_s·A_{mod}$$

(4)

where ${\eta }_{mod}$ is the module’s efficiency in %, according to the module’s specifications; $I_s$ is the average irradiation [Wh/m²$·$dia]; $A_{mod}$ is the surface area of the PV module [m²]. After selecting the type of PV module, it is necessary to calculate the number of modules required to obtain the desired power. The number of modules is calculated using Equation (5):

$$\mathrm{T}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{f}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{s}={\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{T}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{e}}{{\mathrm{E}}_{\mathrm{m}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{d}}}}$$

(5)

To begin selecting the equipment for the Amazonia Kit, the PV modules are the starting point. The model chosen for the project is the HiKu6 mono PERC from the company Canadian, with a power of 540 W, according to the specifications detailed in

Table 6. Photovoltaic module specifications [32].

Electrical Characteristics
Efficiency [%]	21.15
Maximum Power [W]	540.00
Maximum power voltage [V]	41.30
Maximum power current [A]	13.08
Open circuit voltage—Voc [V]	49.20
Short circuit current—Isc [A]	13.90
Physical Characteristics
Module area [mm2]	2254 × 1135 × 35
Cell	Mono-crystalline

.

The inverter is then calculated analytically (Figure 6C). The choice of inverter is based on the sum of the nominal powers of the alternating current (AC) loads in the case under study to ensure that it supports the total power of the appliances supplied. In addition, the inverter is selected according to the input and output voltages specified for the system. It is crucial to size the system so that the nominal current for which the battery is sized is greater than 30% of the maximum current of the PV module. In addition, the output power of the inverter, i.e., the total power of the system, will be sized based on the maximum AC load.

The inverter chosen for the project is Growatt’s SPF 3500 W MPPT model. Due to the wooded region where the Amazon Kit will be installed, the system will inevitably suffer losses due to shading. Therefore, the MPPT inverter will ensure that the modules always operate at maximum power, maximizing energy use and slightly mitigating the effects of shading.

Table 7. Inverter specifications [33].

Growatt SPF 3500
Nominal Power [W]	3500
Maximum input power [W]	4500
Voltage range MPPT [VDC]	120–430
Maximum input voltage [VDC]	450
Maximum input current [A]	80

shows the inverter’s specifications.

For the analytical calculation of energy storage (Figure 6B). In the energy storage system, the battery’s autonomy capacity will initially be assessed, considering consumption per household, since the project operates with SPV—off-grid. The importance of sizing the battery storage system is to guarantee the system’s autonomy and to supply the load during periods of low irradiation.

The analytical calculation of this system is based on the equations in [19] and CRESESB [29]. For this, the autonomy expressed in the hours of the systems must be considered, as well as the type of technology, which must consider durability, size, maintenance requirements, and costs/performance, especially as it is an isolated system. The nominal voltage depends on the power needed to supply the system in order to avoid working with high currents.

Another factor to consider is the depth of discharge (%DoD), which represents the discharge limit that the battery can reach. This factor must be considered due to daily charge and discharge cycles, as well as sporadic discharges during prolonged periods of cloudiness, where the battery reaches higher levels of discharge. The deeper the discharge-charge cycles, the shorter the life of the battery.

For the storage capacity (${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{B}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{k}}$), which represents the amount of current that the battery can supply in a given time and at a defined voltage level, expressed in ampere-hours (Ah). Battery capacity is calculated using Equation (6), where $V_{Bat}$, é is the battery voltage and %DoD.

$${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{B}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{k}}={\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{D}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{y}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{y}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{e}}{\%\mathrm{D}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{D}·{\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{B}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}}}}$$

(6)

If the system capacity ($C_{Bank}$) is greater than the battery capacity supplied by the manufacturer, the number of batteries to be connected in parallel is calculated using Equation (7):

$$\mathrm{N}°\mathrm{o}\mathrm{f}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{l}={\displaystyle \frac{{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{B}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{k}}}{\mathrm{B}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{y}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{y}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{v}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{y}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{h}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{f}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}}}$$

(7)

If the system voltage is higher than the voltage of the selected battery, then the number of batteries to be connected in series equals the value resulting from Equation (8):

$$\mathrm{N}°\mathrm{o}\mathrm{f}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{s}={\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{S}\mathrm{y}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{v}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{g}\mathrm{e}}{\mathrm{B}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{y}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{v}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{g}\mathrm{e}}}$$

(8)

The battery storage system model used for this project is the ELGINBAT—5 kWh lithium-ion battery, with a voltage of 48 V and a cyclic useful life of 80–90%.

Table 8. Battery storage system specifications [34].

ELGINBAT—48 V–5 KWH
Voltage [V]	48.00
Capacity C5 [Ah]	100.00
Operation voltage [V]	42.00–54.00
Charge voltage [V]	53.40–54.00
Maximum charge current [A]	100.00
Maximum continuous discharge current [A]	100.00
Maximum discharge current [A]	200 (for 2 s)
Cut-off voltage [V]	42.00
Cyclic life 90% DoD [cycles]	>6000
Recharge efficiency [%]	98.00
Protection index	IP20

shows the specifications of the battery chosen for the SPV—off-grid.

The choice of components for the Amazon Kit is based on cost-benefit, accessibility in the local market, and ease of maintenance. Therefore, the modules were chosen because they offer an excellent cost-performance ratio, with high efficiency and durability, thus ensuring a significant return on investment throughout their useful life; the Growatt inverter is recognized for its reliability and efficiency. In addition, considering the availability of local suppliers facilitates the replacement of parts, reducing logistics costs and transport time. The extensive local distribution network of Canadian Solar, Growatt, and Elgin ensures that consumers acquire the components easily and at competitive prices.

4.3. Computer Simulation and Validation

In this subsection, after mapping the data, estimating consumption, and the analytical calculation, it is presented the computer simulation and validation. For this, the free and open source SAM software was used, validating the sizing and configuration according to the mapped data and per capita consumption, and the HOMER PRO^® [12] software, a commercial software that requires a license to use, which validates the operability or functionality according to the operating regime.

4.3.1. System Advisor Model—SAM

To start simulating the assembly of the Amazon Kit, the battery’s autonomy capacity is checked according to the consumption per household since this is an autonomous system. For validation and simulation, the ELGIN BAT 48 V–5 kWh lithium-ion battery is used. To calculate the capacity, the battery’s power must be divided by the power consumed by the load, considering a cyclical useful life of 80–90%. As shown in Figure 8, each battery has an autonomy of a minimum of 14 h and a maximum of 32 h, depending on the number of people per household.

Another battery alternative used for off-grid SPVs is the lead acid battery or gel batteries, which are generally cheaper compared to the lithium battery bank, but the autonomy is shorter. As shown in Figure 8, the battery has an autonomy of 12 h minimum and 30 h maximum, a difference of 2 h less than lithium batteries.

With the data from the battery and with the help of the average solar irradiation indices (minimum and maximum) for each city, in this case for the Amazonas region. And considering the estimated load consumption of the equipment in each home, simulations were carried out using the SAM software. The aim was to validate the sizing of the system by finding the generation potential of the off-grid SPV for the different homes as a function of the data mapping and the estimated consumption. To start the simulation, the average radiation index is inserted into the software, after which the module to be used is selected, and then the inverter. With this data, the system is configured, and finally, it is simulated.

According to Table 5, a minimum consumption of 95.6 to 191.6 kWh/month is observed. Based on Equation (5), it is calculated the total number of modules required for the consumption of a home with the maximum number of residents established in the project (8 people), resulting in a total of four modules. An inverter is selected based on the system’s loads and voltage. The inverter chosen has a capacity of 3.5 kW.

Validation and simulation in the SAM program showed that the minimum estimated monthly generation in Amazonas is 232.7 kWh, and the maximum is 247.8 kWh, as shown in

Table 9. Average monthly generation estimate for Amazonas.

State	Irradiation (kWh/m2.day)		Estimate Average Annual Generation (kWh)		Estimated Average Monthly Generation (kWh/month)
	Min	Max	Min	Max	Min	Max
Amazon	4.3	4.7	2792	2973	232.7	247.8

.

With the sizing of the SPV—off grid simulated for a home with the maximum number of residents (8 people), an annual generation surplus of 21% is observed for the minimum irradiation index and 29% for the maximum irradiation index in the Amazon. The SPV meets the needs of the people per household size, allowing a surplus to be generated that can be stored for days when the sun is not shining.

It is important to mention that one of the difficulties encountered during the simulations was related to the database. Some minimum and maximum irradiation data for the regions was adapted according to availability, since not all of it is registered or up-to-date.

Based on the mapped and simulated data, the following validation is presented, as shown in

Table 10. Estimating minimum and maximum generation as a function of the number of inverters.

Annual Generation (kWh)	1 Inverter		2 Inverters
	Min.	Máx.	Min.	Máx.
1 Amazon Kit	2792	2973	2787	2968
2 Amazon Kit	5645	6001	5641	5996
3 Amazon Kit	8101	8504	8493	9022
4 Amazon Kit	9425	9785	11,344	12,047
5 Amazon Kit	10,207	10,592	14,107	14,928

: increasing the number of inverters and connecting the Amazon Kit in parallel. The use of multiple inverters is particularly beneficial when three or more Amazon Kits are installed in parallel. It is recommended to use one inverter for one or two kits in parallel since the variation in generation is not significant.

It is important to note that one inverter can handle up to five Amazon Kits in parallel and a total of 20 PV modules. However, when working with five Amazon Kits, it is advisable to use two inverters, as the estimated difference in average annual generation is around 4000 kWh.

4.3.2. HOMER PRO^®

This subsection presents the validation of the Amazonia Kit using the HOMER PRO^® software. This software optimizes microgrid projects in various sectors using optimization and sensitivity analysis algorithms. It makes it easier to evaluate the numerous possible configurations for energy systems, thus allowing the operational feasibility of the SPV-off grid system to be validated, depending on the operating regime selected when sizing and configuring the project. To start the simulation, it is necessary to enter load consumption profile data for each household, which was obtained using SAM to simulate the same system. The load profile entered is shown in Figure 9, representing a home with a capacity for eight people.

Continuing the simulation in HOMER PRO^®, the same location and irradiation index considered in SAM were considered, in addition to the load profile shown in the previous figure. Then, the configuration for an isolated system was performed, as shown in Figure 10. Analyzing the Amazon Kit, two types of batteries were considered: one lithium and one lead acid. The configuration allowed, with the help of the program, to evaluate different viable systems for all possible combinations.

The economic data analyzed include the net present cost (NPC), the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and the initial investment cost. Other variables analyzed are excess electricity and battery bank autonomy. The initial values for the simulations are shown in

Table 11. Unit Price of Equipment.

Equipment	Unit Price [R$]	Unit Price [USD]
Photovoltaic module	1116.0	218.62
Inverter 3.5 kW	5020.0	983.42
Elgin lithium battery	11,936.0	2338.26
Lead acid battery	3217.0	630.21

, with the prices of each component researched at the beginning of the year (5 March 2024), used in reais and US dollars. These are converted using the official exchange rate of Brazil’s reserve bank (R$ 1 = USD 0.1959) [35].

Once the unit prices for each component had been defined, HOMER PRO^® started the simulations, checking whether the load was met or not. In the simulated case, if the load was not met, the components had to be redefined. In the simulated scenario, HOMER PRO^® found 72 solutions, of which 54 were viable and 18 were unviable due to lack of capacity restrictions, including 4 for lack of a converter and 6 for having an unnecessary converter.

From the results optimized by the software, one can see that the system’s average annual electricity production is 3917 kWh/year, as shown in

Table 12. Project economic indicators.

Indicators	Values
Production [kWh/year]	3917.0
IRR [%]	10.0
ROI	9.1
PayBack [years]	11.0

. With a rate of return on investment of 10% for the best configuration and a payback of 11 years, the project would take that long to recover the investments.

Analyzing the HOMER PRO^® data, as shown in

Table 13. Comparison of economic indicators.

Indicators	SPV + Lithium	SPV + Acid lead
NPC [R$-USD]	R$ 75,567.00–USD 14,803.58	R$ 96,312.00–USD 18,867.52
LCOE [R$-USD/kWh]	R$ 1.32–USD 0.26	R$ 1.68–USD 0.33
Excess electricity [kWh/year]	1370 (35%)	1384 (35,3%)
Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) [R$-USD]	R$58,908.00–USD 11,540.07	R$ 49,768.00–USD 9749.55
Operation and Maintenance (O&M) [R$ -USD/year]	R$ 666.37–USD 130.54	R$ 1862.00–USD 364.77
Quantity of batteries [unit.]	4.00	12.00
Battery autonomy [h]	76.80	80.20
Expected life [years]	20.00	12.00

, shows two solutions out of the 72 analyzed: one with four lithium batteries and the other with 12 lead batteries. The best configuration is the off-grid SPV with four lithium battery storage, with a lower NPC compared to lead storage. In addition, the LCOE is lower for the system working with lithium. Even though the initial investment cost of the system with lithium storage is higher than that with lead, it is important to consider that lithium storage has an expected useful life of 20 years. In contrast, lead storage has an expected useful life of 12 years.

In the context of the Amazon Kit, it is crucial to note that one of the major difficulties is related to transportation to the installation site, so the smaller the amount of equipment to transport, the better.

The HOMER PRO^® can be analyzed in Figure 10, which shows the days with PV energy generation and the days without. At least 3 days of battery autonomy are required, as indicated in Figure 11, where the stored energy of the batteries is used from 29 July until 1 August.

Figure 12 shows the battery’s state of charge (SOC), noting that in the last days of July, the battery runs out, reaching 0%, but as the sunny days appear, it recharges to 100% again in the first days of August.

For a more detailed analysis, Figure 13 shows the profile for 5 July, where the storage system is used in the early hours of the day. Between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., the PV energy is used, also serving to charge the battery with the surplus, which is used at night, where the primary load served (blue) is greater than the PV energy output (brown).

5. Amazon Kit: Design and Specifications

This section presents the final result of the Amazon Kit (Figure 14). The modular and expandable Amazon Kit is presented, with different configurations depending on the consumption of people per household. For the final result of the SPV-off grid, after configuration, sizing, and computer validation using SAM and HOMER PRO^® software, the systems chosen for the Amazon Kit are shown in Figure 14. The Amazonia Kit for the SPV with off-grid energy storage consists of 4 modules (540 Wp) in series, respecting the input limits of the inverter, an inverter (3.5 kW), and four lithium batteries (48 V–100 Ah). It is capable of supplying energy on days when there is no peak sun or for maintenance.

Figure 15 shows the configurations of the Amazon Kit according to the battery’s autonomy capacity in hours, which can be 16 h with one battery, as shown in Figure 15A, or increases according to the needs of the people per household.

For a consumption of eight people per household, the configuration validated by HOMER PRO^® for autonomy of 76.8 h is four lithium batteries, as shown in Figure 15D. Figure 15B,C shows intermediate hour configurations, which always depend on the lack of peak sun hours, in addition to the autonomy hours of the people in the home.

Considering the estimated generation of the Amazon Kit and as simulated and validated in Table 10, it is given the configuration of the Amazon Kit with the respective inverter variations. Figure 16A shows that the inverter chosen is capable of working with the kits in parallel, which is recommended in order to have optimum annual generation and no cost/benefit losses (Figure 16B). It is worth noting that this allows any type of maintenance to be carried out on the kits and does not interrupt energy generation since one is independent of the other, which allows homes to have a minimum of energy generation until the relevant maintenance is carried out.

In the case of installing three kits in parallel, it is recommended to work with two inverters in order to obtain an optimum estimate of production since the model allows up to 6 inverters to be installed in series. As shown in Figure 16B, since the difference in production is large, as the validated data shows. In addition, it is possible to work with five kits in parallel and one inverter, but annual production must be considered.

As presented at the beginning and following the purpose of the project design (modular and expandable), and according to the needs of the people per household (2 to 8 people).

The first columns of

Table 14. Amazon Kit arrangements and configurations.

Region	Description	Configuration
S	Irradiation min. of 3.69 and máx. 5.34 (kWh/m2.day). Estimate average annual generation of min 2379 and max. 3591 (kWh)
N	Irradiation min. of 4.56 and máx. 5.66 (kWh/m2.day). Estimate average annual generation of min 2678 and max. 3803 (kWh)
NE	Irradiation min of 4.70 and máx. 6.24 (kWh/m2.day). Estimate average annual generation of min 2946 and max. 3911 (kWh)
SE	Irradiation min of 3.66 and máx. 5.89 (kWh/m2.day) Estimate average annual generation of min 2429 and max. 3812 (kWh)
WC	Irradiation min of 5.00 and máx. 5.96 (kWh/m2.day). Estimate average annual generation of min 3062 and max. 3879 (kWh)

show the regions of Brazil (South, North, Northeast, Central-West, and Southeast) for which the minimum and maximum average irradiation rates were obtained. With this, the irradiation estimate was calculated for each of the regions, considering the values indicated previously. This can be seen in the description column. Thus, showing that the Amazon Kit can be implemented in any region of Brazil. This highlights that the kit was modeled and simulated to supply the lack of electricity service in isolated communities in the Amazon and was not dimensioned for areas with a population level higher than that stipulated (2 to 8 people).

Table 14 shows the arrangements and configurations (on-grid, zero-grid, and off-grid) of the Amazon Kit for electricity generation. One can see in the settings column the types of configurations that can be used with the Amazon Kit since the inverter is capable of working in on-grid, off-grid, and zero-grid systems. At the end of the settings column, a modular and expandable configuration of the Amazon Kit is shown, which can adopt n types of equipment, which depend on the needs of people in homes.

The equipment that makes up the photovoltaic system (modules, inverters, and storage systems) has shown advances in commercialized products. Today, there are many competing technologies that can be used, such as OPV for photovoltaic modules or protection systems such as advanced polymer encapsulations for photovoltaic devices [36]. There are even different types of energy storage, sodium, lithium, and lead batteries, among others [37,38,39]. It should be noted that some technologies are still part of research projects or have a high price, so they are not yet competing in the market. It should also be noted that photovoltaic systems are being used together with other technologies, such as hydrogen production and hybrid systems, among others [40].

6. Conclusions

The analysis of the sizing of a system that generates electricity, considering different scenarios, with a variation of inverters and batteries, depending on the useful life and autonomy. The number of people per household resulted in a modular and expandable system as a result of this research. The Amazonia Kit consists of off-grid PV solar energy and energy storage for electricity generation. It consists of four 540 W modules, an inverter, and four batteries that have an autonomy of approximately 16 h and a useful life of 20 years. This approach differs from the technologies previously discussed in the literature, as it offers an innovative and adaptable system designed to meet the needs of single-family homes in isolated communities in the Amazon.

It is worth noting that the study fills a significant gap in the literature by proposing a modular and expandable system based on renewable technology. This system not only offers opportunities to adapt to the needs of the communities but is also a scalable and easy-to-maintain solution that is not limited to the Amazon region and can be adapted to other communities. The implementation contributes to achieving the SDGs set out in the 2030 agenda by using renewable technology such as solar photovoltaics and off-grid storage. The study offers a sustainable and affordable solution to improve the quality of life and reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources. This helps to mitigate climate change since the minimum and maximum annual generation estimates (2792–2973 kWh) found it possible to avoid 2.10–2.23 tCO₂ per year. In the current market, this is equivalent to a minimum of R$ 773.16 ($ 150.49) and a maximum of R$ 822.20 ($ 161.10) per year per carbon credit avoided, in line with the SDGs.

The originality of developing the study of the sizing of an off-grid PV system with modular and expandable energy storage leads to a foundation of data for future work, such as the development of an application that facilitates the sizing of PV systems for electricity generation in rural areas, such as isolated communities in the Amazon.

Policy Implications: The development of a modular and expandable system for generating electricity with off-grid energy storage has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for river-dwelling communities in the Amazon. This study demonstrates that such a system is not only feasible but also effective in addressing the unique challenges faced by these isolated populations. Our results indicate that with appropriate design and implementation, off-grid solutions can provide reliable and sustainable electricity. Future research should focus on larger-scale implementations and explore the integration of other renewable energy sources.

Study Limitations and Future Research Directions: Despite the promising results, this study has limitations, including the scope of the sample size and the generalizability of the findings to other regions. Future research should focus on screening, mapping, and selecting cases in the region of cities such as Salinopolis, Barcarena, Combu, and Tucuri. The cities have single-family homes (2 to 8 people) with isolated riverside communities, with difficult access to transportation, and which are not served by conventional electrical networks and, therefore, fall within the scope of the Amazon Kit. Larger-scale implementations and exploring the integration of other renewable energy sources should also be considered. Additionally, further studies should assess the long-term impacts on socio-economic development and environmental sustainability in these communities.

Finally, as future work, it is proposed to compare a system with a fossil source, such as diesel, with a renewable source, such as the Amazon Kit. This study would include an analysis of diesel generation costs, including transportation and storage costs for diesel, and a payback analysis for financial decision-making.