Guided by the strategy of developing sustainable solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, WEG has been signing a series of partnerships for the supply of distributed solar generation systems and charging stations for electric vehicles.

In partnership with BMW Brazil and Energy Source, Weg has recently developed a unique system in Brazil for fast charging of electric vehicles which can operate connected or completely disconnected from the energy distribution network using batteries connected to solar panels. Called Carport Solar Off-Grid, the system allows electric vehicles to be recharged with energy generated by the sun and stored in second-life batteries, provided by the company Energy Source, from BMW electric vehicles. When the batteries are 100% charged, it is also possible to export surplus solar energy to the electricity grid.

“This project promotes the Sun to Wheel concept for 100% sustainable fast charging of electric vehicles, without the use of electricity from the electricity grid. With national technology, we are developing the required infrastructure to support electric mobility in Brazil”, says Manfred Peter Johann, Managing Director of WEG Automation Business Unit. The Carport Solar Off-Grid was installed at BMW's manufacturing site in the municipality of Araquari, state of Santa Catarina and counted on the cooperation of multidisciplinary teams from all partner companies.

“The future of electric mobility is sustainable and BMW Group supports the national development of new technologies that will allow electric vehicles to become an increasingly global reality”, says Vivaldo Chaves, BMW Group Brazil´s Operations Director. “This year, we will have five fully electric models being sold in the country (BMW i3, iX3, i4, iX and MINI SE) and we believe Brazil has excellent experts to lead the transformation of the mobility industry in the country”, explains Vivaldo.

“As from us at Energy Source, to be part of such a great project in partnership with WEG and BMW makes us proud and gives us the chance to offer our know-how and demonstrate to the local and international markets the excellence of second-life batteries developed by us, in addition to creating a wide range of application possibilities”, says David Noronha, CEO of Energy Source.