Our journey

In 2010 we started our journey, pioneering the development of the first solar energy projects in Brazil, even before the establishment of the regulatory framework for distributed generation, in 2012.

In our journey, we always seek to challenge the status quo, being pioneers and leaders in the sector, we implemented one of the first large-scale solar generation projects in Brazil, a 1 MW project, for the CPFL Energia group. We also carried out one of the largest projects in Latin America for the social inclusion of consumers, through the federal program “Luz Para Todos”, in the Amazon Forest, in the state of Pará. We did the technical design and installed solar systems using batteries to serve a community of more than two thousand five hundred riverside residents, who previously did not have access to electricity. With the advent of distributed generation regulation, we pioneered the installation of solar panels for businesses and homes.

From 2010 to 2016, we focused our activities on selling and implementing solar projects for companies and homes, carrying out the first solar energy projects even before the regulation of distributed generation, in 2012. Already envisioning the potential that would open up in 2012, we received the first round of investments with MOV, one of the pioneering social and environmental impact funds in Brazil. With the prospects for regulatory improvement, we received the second round of investments with TPG ART in 2014, a global investment firm with US$182 billion of assets under management.

On the trail of pioneering spirit, in 2016, immediately after the regulatory review that allowed the shared distributed generation model, and with the arrival of a new leadership team, we carried out the first pilot projects to validate this model and, in 2017, we were the first company to launch the Solar Farm service in Brazil, with a focus on serving small and medium-sized companies (“SMEs”) and homes

Fazenda Solar da Órigo is a clean energy subscription service that allows its customers to save on their energy bill, without having to make any investment or installation/change in their home/trade. It was initially launched in the municipality of João Pinheiro in Minas Gerais, with a 1.3 MWp project, initially serving around 60 SME customers. Our first solar farm was very important to test the value proposition for customers and to develop our technical capacity to build and connect the Solar Farm to the distribution grid. At that time, all remote distributed generation projects were exclusive to large companies, with little credit risk and long-term contracts.

So we focused on exponentially scaling our platform, and in 2019, we received our third round of investments with Mitsui, a Japanese conglomerate with over $60 billion in worldwide revenue in 2021.

With financial contributions from our shareholders and obtaining the first project financing, we expanded our capacity to 24 MWp, surpassing the mark of 1,000 customers. Our growth accelerated in 2020, even during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, when we launched our service for residential customers and reached the mark of 4 thousand customers and 60 MWp of connected capacity at the end of that year.

In 2020, we discontinued sales of solar systems to focus only on the Fazenda Solar product, after realizing that in order to achieve our mission of democratizing access to clean energy, Fazenda Solar was the ideal vehicle, especially given the potential for an addressable market, simplicity from the consumer’s point of view, the possibility of exponential growth and the profitability of the projects.

Also in 2020, we carried out our first issue of debentures, demonstrating the strength of our business model and our credibility in the capital market. We were partners with our customers at the beginning of the pandemic and we help small businesses in difficulty adjust their payments to their cash flow, with this we contribute to their financial recovery, as well as minimize their default with us. At the end of 2021, we doubled our installed capacity and expanded our customer base to 30,000.

Since then, we have had a unique track record and performance in the sector. We grew exponentially and offered our services to more than 30 thousand clients as of December 31, 2021, operating in more than a thousand municipalities in three Brazilian states. We have implemented more than 100 MWp in generating capacity in 30 solar farms. We generated more than 240 GWh (monthly/annual) in 2021, avoiding the production of more than 16 thousand tons of carbon, with savings of more than BRL 40 million for our customers.

In 2022, we announced investments of BRL 460 million by the North American Augment Infrastructure, an investment fund manager focused on renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. With this investment, Augment becomes one of the company’s main shareholders, together with other relevant investors, such as TPG ART, MOV Investimentos and Mitsui. The company already serves more than 50 thousand customers with an installed capacity of more than 150 MWp operating from its solar farms in the states of Minas Gerais, Pernambuco and São Paulo.

Still in 2022, believing in the Company’s potential, Augment invested another R$240 million, making investments of approximately R$700 million in the year. Soon after, BLaO – Blue Like an Orange – a fund that seeks to invest in opportunities that offer strong returns adjusted to risk and social impact in line with the Sustainable Development Goals – becomes a partner, joining other renowned investors, such as Augment, TPG ART, MOV Investimentos and Mitsui Co.

The year 2022 was a unique year, we grew strongly and sustainably, reaching more than 60 thousand customers on December 31, 2022, operating in +1,200 municipalities in four states of Brazil. We implemented about 200 MWp in generation capacity, in 40 solar farms. We avoid the production of more than 48 thousand tons of Carbon, with savings of more than R$84 million for our customers.

In 2023, we further solidified our position as a leader in the solar power generation and distribution sector in Brazil, achieving significant milestones in our journey. With a vision focused on sustainable expansion and a continued commitment to democratizing access to clean energy, we continue on a path of exponential growth.

Throughout the year, we reached an extraordinary milestone by surpassing the mark of 110,000 customers, reinforcing our positive impact on the lives of residential consumers, small and medium-sized businesses. This accomplishment not only reflects the ongoing trust of our customers but also demonstrates the acceptance and growing relevance of the innovative clean energy subscription model, establishing Órigo as a reference in the Brazilian distributed generation market.

With an expanded installed capacity of over 300 MWp, we added new solar farms to our portfolio, extending our presence to new regions in Brazil. This strategic expansion allowed us to operate in 5 states and the Federal District, bringing the benefits of clean energy to various communities and contributing to the diversification of the country’s energy matrix.

In addition to all the progress mentioned, after negotiations started in 2023 and concluded in the 1st quarter of 2024, we received an investment of US$ 400 million from I-Squared Capital, a company that invests in infrastructure projects. Such investment in our operations in 2024 will enable the construction of more than 2 GWp in our distributed solar generation projects and the expansion of the company’s business to more than 20 Brazilian states.

We reinforced our commitment to innovation, sustainability and inclusion. As Órigo Energia looks to the future, its focus remains on leading the transition to a cleaner, renewable and accessible energy future for all.