Athon Energia: The Solar and Distributed Generation Leader of Brazil

Athon Energia, a leading energy solutions provider, invests in, develops, and manages projects related to renewable energy, especially in the solar and distributed generation (DG) segments. The company started its journey in 2017. This was an exciting time for the Brazilian energy landscape as the regulations were evolving, setting the stage for significant changes in the solar energy sector.

Two tectonic shifts occurred at that point: the rise of DG solar, focusing on smaller-scale solar installations and the emergence of community solar projects. Although these concepts were gaining traction in certain regions, they were still relatively novel on a global scale.

Athon recognized the immense potential of solar energy in Brazil and embarked on a journey by engaging with businesses with extensive energy consumption needs. Telecom companies were its first focus as their widespread network of 3G and 5G antennas had numerous points of energy consumption.

“When we started, we encountered unexpected challenges with DISCOs. Distributing energy from a solar plant to thousands of bills within a different regulatory framework was a technical and data nightmare. Mistakes were commonplace, leading to discrepancies in energy distribution among clients,” says Daniel Maia, founder of Athon. “The situation led us to develop a robust system akin to an ERP for solar communities. The goal was to check and cross-reference the calculations made by the DISCOs, uncovering numerous opportunities for improvement.”

It also established a dedicated department akin to public relations ambassadors, advocating on behalf of clients for quick resolution of any issue. The aim was to provide clients with the best possible experience amid the evolving solar landscape in Brazil.

The company’s efforts have garnered impressive outcomes. It has 40 solar plants strategically located across ten states in Brazil. Athon currently serves more than two million points of consumption.

Today, Athon has become the right partner for businesses that struggle to monitor and identify opportunities for cost reduction and bring their ESG agendas to fruition due to a multitude of energy consumption points. The company supports these clients by leasing its solar installations, in accordance with Brazilian regulatory standards.

Athon’s client engagement philosophy is based on long-term relationships. Clients receive a clear understanding of their expenditure over the contract’s duration, which is the key to predictability in an otherwise complex energy market.

“We believe in timely and budget-conscious project delivery. Realizing the value that we bring, our clients proactively seek to expand their partnership with us while embarking on new initiatives,” says Maia.

In one instance, a regional supermarket chain in Brazil fell under the mid-voltage category, limiting the options for integrating renewable energy solutions. But the owner was inclined toward sustainable practices. For this client, Athon navigated the stringent regulatory landscape and embarked on a two-year journey to modify the connection setup of some of the stores, transitioning them from mid-voltage to low-voltage. This shift paved the way for the integration of solar solutions tailored to the stores’ needs.

Athon has become a suitable solution to balance environmental concerns with economic considerations by harnessing solar energy. It will continue forging a sustainable future through substantial capital investment and long-term contracts in solar projects.