AEON Security and RoboticsCats team up to help solar power plants combat wildfires in Brazil.
Solar Power Plants in Brazil: A Growing Force
Brazil’s solar power capacity has reached an impressive 52 GW as of early 2025, representing 21.4% of the country’s grid-connected capacity and making it the second-largest energy source in Brazil’s electricity matrix. This includes both large-scale solar plants and distributed generation systems. Some of the largest solar power stations in Brazil include Janauba (1.6 GWp), São Gonzalo (864 MWp), and Sol do Cerrado (766 MWp). The sector has attracted over R$238 billion in investments since 2012, creating more than 1.5 million local jobs. Despite challenges such as increased import taxes on solar modules, Brazil’s solar capacity is expected to grow by 26% in 2025, reaching 64.7 GW.
Wildfires and Solar Power Plants: A Growing Concern
The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in Brazil pose a significant threat to solar power plants. In 2024, Brazil experienced its worst fire season in at least a decade, with a total of 278,000 satellite-detected hotspots. These wildfires not only endanger the physical infrastructure of solar installations but also impact their efficiency. Smoke and particulate matter from fires can significantly reduce solar production, with statewide reductions typically ranging from 10% to 30%. The situation is exacerbated by Brazil’s current drought, the longest in 70 years, affecting over 80% of the country’s territory and creating ideal conditions for fire spread.
Digital Technologies Reducing Wildfire Risk
To mitigate wildfire risks to solar power plants, AEON Security, Axis Communications and RoboticsCats have collaborated to implement an AI wildfire detection pilot project in Brazil. The AXIS Q6225-LE and LookOut Wildfire Detection SaaS are monitoring a solar power plant to detect nearby wildfire outbreaks. The team conducted controlled burns to test the system and train the AI models to optimize detection performance in the solar power plant environment. This innovative solution can detect early-stage wildfires within 15 minutes of ignition, potentially reducing response times and minimizing damage to solar infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
As Brazil’s solar power sector continues to grow, the integration of AI and computer vision for wildfire detection and early response becomes increasingly crucial. These innovative solutions not only protect valuable solar infrastructure but also contribute to the overall resilience of Brazil’s energy grid. By combining early detection systems, predictive AI models, and improved fire safety measures, the solar industry in Brazil can better withstand the challenges posed by wildfires, ensuring a more sustainable and secure energy future. With AI-powered wildfire detection systems showing up to 98% accuracy in recent studies, the future of fire prevention in Brazil’s solar sector looks promising.
Please email info@roboticscats.com if you’re interested to learn more about how our AI wildfire detection works in solar power plants in Brazil.
