Unicamp and BYD, a global giant specializing in clean energy and manufacturer of batteries and electric vehicles, signed this Wednesday morning (21) a letter of cooperation that provides for the transfer of more than R$5 million to the University by 2020. The intention is to found a Photovoltaic Research Center and establish partnerships in scientific and technological research and development activities. The ceremony took place in the University Council (Consu) room, with the presence of the rector Marcelo Knobel, the pro-rector of Research Munir Skaf, the vice-minister of Industry and Information Technology of China Xin Guobin, the world vice-president of BYD Stella Li and the president of BYD in Brazil Tyler Li.
“We will take advantage of cooperation to contribute to basic and applied research, bringing the knowledge of Unicamp and our workforce to studies that can be useful for the sustainable development of the country and the world”, highlighted the rector of Unicamp. Knobel emphasized that at Unicamp there are already several scientific collaborations with China (BYD's country of origin), in addition to the Brazil-China Study Group and the Confucius Institute, with teaching Mandarin. The rector also said that the University is a pioneer in the study of photovoltaic energy. “We have a group of world-class competences here in this area.”
The partnership will open up new possibilities in the area of photovoltaic research, in the opinion of the Vice-Rector of Research. “As we know, Brazil is an extremely rich country in terms of solar energy, and converting this solar energy into usable energy in the form of electricity is very important”, highlighted Munir Skaf. He detailed the University's competence in the area, through three research units: the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering (FEEC), the "Gleb Wataghin" Institute of Physics (IFGH) and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FEM). According to Skaf, the physical phenomenon behind the photovoltaic energy conversion process, although already well known, can be further studied with the aim of improving and making the technology cheaper for the population.
BYD, with around 20 research engineers in its workforce around the world, opened a solar panel factory in Campinas in April this year. In 2015, the company had already installed a factory in the city to produce electric buses and sell vehicles and forklifts. BYD's investment is a counterpart to Padis (Support Program for the Technological Development of the Semiconductor and Display Industry, from the federal government), a program in which the company is registered. The contribution will be made annually and gradually, always depending on R&D revenue. In 2017 and 2018, the percentage is 4% and in 2019 and 2020 it will reach 5% of net sales in the domestic market.
“Our commitment to the institution is to create a research center that will be a reference in the country in this matter. This will certainly lead to new collaborations and partnerships, in addition to the creation of jobs in the search for sustainable development", said the company's vice president Stella Li. Chinese vice minister Guobin Xin spoke at the ceremony about the friendly relationship and increasingly close relationship between China and Brazil. He highlighted the existence of the Confucius Institute at Unicamp and the importance of the University in the Latin American scenario. In the area of renewable energy, he believes that both countries still have a lot to contribute. “The ministry will continue to support partnerships between Chinese companies and Brazilian institutions.”
