Atlas Renewable Energy, a Latin American cleanenergy developer, and Brazil’s National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) have approved BRL 1 billion (~$179 million) in financing for the Draco Solar Complex in Minas Gerais. The project includes 11 photovoltaic plants with a total capacity of 505MW (AC) (579MW (DC)). It is expected to supply energy equivalent to 569,000 homes and support industrial demand. Construction is set to begin soon and will generate around 2,100 direct jobs. A 500kV substation and a 15km transmission line will connect the complex to Brazil’s national grid. Atlas and BNDES have previously financed nearly 2GW of solar projects together. This new BRL-denominated agreement reflects their shift from earlier dollar-based financing. Earlier, Atlas secured $510 million for the Estepa solar-plus-storage project in Chile.