a logical way, through documents, articles, notes, among others.

For this study, the use of graphs and tables served to illustrate in a didactic way the
advantages and disadvantages of transforming the ESF into Electric Energy. Since “photovoltaic
solar energy” can be used in numerous different ways, also varying according to the location of the
Earth's surface in question. Thus, according to a study published in 2007 by the World Energy
Council, in 2100, 70% of the energy consumed will be of solar origin (PINTO et al., 2015, p. 09).
This propensity for diversified uses of photovoltaic solar energy is what formalizes the on-
grid and off-grid systems and such information is not yet popular, which restricts the possibility of
citizens choosing ways to use new energy sources, to justify the investments it is necessary to know
the fundamentals and relevance.

2. Theoretical foundation

Photovoltaic solar energy is an option for sustainability in today's society, with the option of
diversifying the use and valuing of available natural resources. The growth in the production of solar
energy is a reflection of a global scenario-driven towards the diversification of energy sources
according to Nitsenko (2018); Hauser (2018); Rodríguez (2018).
According to Maji (2019) with the search for alternative and clean means of production,
aiming at meeting the growing demand, without compromising the future of the environment. Freitas
(2018) the advancement of technology in the construction of photovoltaic panels, the decrease in
prices and the possibility of better integration with various types of urban spaces, are some of the
main reasons that turned solar energy into a popular clean energy option, especially for urban
consumers
According to Cunha (2019), electricity consumption in Brazil has been growing over the
years. According to 2017 data, consumption reached a result of 467TWh, values that place the
country among the ten largest consumers in the world. The participation of the Southeast region in
this consumption corresponds to about 50%, something that demonstrates the importance of this area
for the analysis of the energy scenario in Brazil according to EPE (2018).
Irena (2018) & Inter Solar (2016) highlight that according to the report,

there was a drop of 69% in these costs, with an expectation of a drop of more than 50%, compared
to 2016 values, for the year 2020, with Brazil being one of the countries with a great contribution to
this change, with an emphasis on a decrease in installation costs of residential photovoltaic systems
by about 30%. In order to portray the growth of solar energy in this new energy scenario, we
highlight the growth in installed capacity worldwide of more than 450%, reaching around 230 GW
installed in the most diverse countries. When sending the analysis to Brazil, the highlight is the
 projection of values, which show the country entering the top 10 with the highest production of
photovoltaic solar energy through a 150% increase in capacity in the period between 2016 and 2020,
which evidences this decrease in costs linked to photovoltaic solar energy (IRENA, 2018.p 10 and
INTER SOLAR, 2016. p. 5).
.
The perceptions of solar energy on the global and national scenario emphasize that there has
been an increase in the use of energy as a way of mitigating the impact, although initially, the
investments are high, the use of solar energy brings benefits to the consumer and to the environment.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

For a better understanding of the relevance of transforming the ESF into electrical energy,
this study listed some specific objectives, as outlined: a) describe which energy sources are available
for use by society; b) punctuate the process of transforming the ESF into electrical energy, and c)
contextualize the types of ESF production. In Pinto's (2015) studies, the authors point out that
renewable energies are unlimited energy sources, that is, they are constantly being renewed. In this
way, they can be used to produce electricity sustainably and not pollute our planet.

Until the end of the 20th century, the way most used by man to produce electricity was
through the burning of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and natural gas, and nuclear energy. These two
ways of obtaining electricity are considered non-renewable energies, as they are limited and
polluting resources, despite having a very high yield.

The second even releases radioactive waste, which is highly dangerous for our well-being
and for life in general. Thus, the energies that human beings consider renewable are energies that
come from the Sun (solar energy), water (water energy and waves and tides), wind (wind energy),
the center of the Earth (geothermal energy) and biomass, among others.

Gélio (2021) shows that almost all energy sources – hydraulic, biomass, wind, fossil fuels
and ocean energy – are indirect forms of solar energy. In addition, solar radiation can be used directly
as a source of thermal energy, for heating fluids and environments, and for generating mechanical
or electrical power.

It can also be converted directly into electrical energy, through effects on certain materials,
among which thermoelectric and photovoltaic standout. For a better understanding of the above-
mentioned comment, this research provides an explanation (Table 1) of some renewable energies.

From an environmental perspective, the importance of solar energy is that it is generated

without emitting gases responsible for the greenhouse effect, being an alternative, clean and
renewable energy. It is essential that the population encourages the use of this technology in order
to improve their relationship with nature, favoring populations not supplied by conventional
electricity. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce electricity consumption and protect future
generations.
Table 1. Renewable Energy Sources. Source: Pinto (2015)
Hydroelectric production takes place in hydroelectric plants. Hydroelectric
Hydro energy
plants are the most efficient way to generate electricity1 and contribute to the
stability of the electricity system.
The energy available at sea, waves, and tides are very abundant. Equipment
The energy of
for converting this renewable energy into electricity is still under development,
the waves and
seeking to improve performance and resistance to the hostile maritime
tides
environment.

Currently, the wind is one of the most attractive ways to produce electricity.
wind energy
In areas where the speed of the
wind is considered necessary; it is possible to install a wind farm.
Geothermic is the energy of the Earth's interior heat and is a resource available
in places with volcanic activity, where there is water or rocks at high
temperature, and in areas where it is possible to reach magmatic strata. The
Geothermal use of this energy to generate electricity is done through a turbine whose
energy blades are moved by the Earth's heat. In addition to being used for electricity
production, this renewable energy source can be used as a heat source for
greenhouses or pumps. for heating or cooling buildings.

Biomass is organic matter, of plant or animal origin, that can be used as a

source of energy. This category includes the use of algae cultivated or
harvested on the coast, waste resulting from human activity, such as by-
products from the forest, agriculture, livestock or from the exploitation of the
wood industry, and even the biodegradable part of solid urban waste, which
biomass are raw materials for the production of electricity, heat and transport fuels. The
use of these residues for electricity production plays an important role in
minimizing the risk of fire if forest clearing is combined with land use
planning.

The production of electricity through solar energy is possible through

photovoltaic cells or by heating a fluid. In the first case, the cells are made up
of silica, phosphorus and boron which, upon receiving the sun's rays, originate
the production of electricity, which can be stored in a battery or injected
directly into the electricity grid through an inverter. In the second case, mirrors
Solar energy are used that concentrate sunlight to heat a fluid, generating steam that turns
the blades of a steam turbine, producing electricity. The sun can also be used
to heat water or to heat buildings. This type of use can replace traditional
means of heating, avoiding the use of electricity or gas. The solar potential is
lower in winter than in summer; in the case of hydro or wind,

The different forms of sustainable energy generation have their degree of exploration still in
the process of expansion, as studies advance, new possibilities are adjusted and the one who gains
from this is society, which now has the option of choices, changes in uses, or even their conciliation.
This last topic finally illustrates the ESF, the central theme of our study, for this reason, it
will be more discussed during the research. Nascimento (2017) comments in his research that ES
capture methods can be divided into direct and indirect and active and passive, as described below:
Table 2. Types of Solar Energy Production. Source: Pinto (2015).
means that there is only one possible transformation to make the energy solar
direct
is a type of energy usable by man.
means that it takes more than one transformation for usable energy to emerge.
indirect
are generally direct, although they (sometimes) involve convective fluxes,
Passive Systems
which is technically a conversion of heat to energy.
mechanics.
are generally indirect and are considered systems that appeal to the aid of
Active Systems
electrical, mechanical, or chemical devices to increase energy production
capacity.

What can be observed during this study is that many authors comment that electricity from
the ESF is practically in almost all human activities. Right after the first Industrial Revolution, the
need for electricity was created in all everyday activities.

Following this line of reasoning Pinto (2015) comments that after a major evolution in the
way in which solar energy was transformed into Electric Energy, as initially the energy from the sun
was not used to produce electricity, which sometimes polluted the environment, finally emerged the
two most comforting ways for our environment of how to produce electricity, which emerged from
the use of renewable energy: thermal and photovoltaic (Figure 1). Nascimento (2017) mentions that
energy is conducted respecting the precepts of physics:

“The first is characterized by the appearance of a potential difference, caused by the junction of two
metals when such junction is at a higher temperature than the other ends of the wires. Although
widely used in the construction of temperature meters, its commercial use for electricity generation
has been made impossible by the low yields obtained and the high costs of materials”
(NASCIMENTO, 2017. p. 03).

The energy generated follows patterns that create a circuit and lead to potential modification
and application. Society begins to discover ways to value the different forms of energy present in
nature and the discovery of material properties, favors the production of clean and sustainable
energy. Regarding the photovoltaic FISCH (2018) highlights as being:

“Resulting from the excitation of electrons from some materials in the presence of sunlight (or other
appropriate forms of energy). Among the most suitable materials for converting solar radiation into
electrical energy, which is usually called solar or photovoltaic cells, silicon stands out. The
conversion efficiency of solar cells is measured by the proportion of solar radiation incident on the
cell surface that is converted into electrical energy” (FISCH, 2018.p.10).

As the energy is placed in the circuit due to the photovoltaic effect through the conduction
band, it lacks the characteristics of capturing and transmitting this energy. The photovoltaic solar
system is an alternative that does not emit noise, does not cause a strong environmental and visual
impact and investments have a guaranteed return.

Figure 1. Illustration of a photovoltaic electricity generation system.

Source: http://www.senergam.com.br/pagina/8-solar

According to Matavelli (2013) ES can basically provide three types of processes: thermal,
electrical and chemical. The first process has processed at different temperatures. Some examples
are space and water heating (using flat collectors), evaporation, distillation, solar ovens, and
parabolic solar ovens. The second consists of processes that are directly transformed into Electric
Energy, as is the case with photovoltaic processes and thermoelectric generators. Finally, chemical
processes consist of using solar energy to carry out chemical processes. Examples of this type are
photolysis (breakdown by the action of sunlight) and photosynthesis.

The same author also comments that electrical energy is based on the production of electrical
potential differences between two points. As a result, electrons move between these points creating
an electrical current. It can be used in various equipment for domestic and industrial use. Electricity
is generated through water, sun, and wind and is considered a form of clean energy, as it has low
levels of pollutant production. The electrical energy generation process consists of converting
another form of energy into electrical energy, mainly from kinetic energy. The distribution, from the
plants, takes place through the electrons found in the conductors of the transmission lines. In Brazil,
Electric Energy is mainly generated by hydroelectric plants. In table 2,

Table 3. Installed capacity, by generation source. Source: ANENERGIA ELÉTRICAL (2013).