-This work presents a method to analyze hydrogen production by biomass gasification, as well as electric power generation in small scale fuel cells. The proposed methodology is the thermodynamic modeling of a reaction system for the conversion of methane and carbon monoxide (steam reforming), as well as the energy balance of gaseous flow purification in PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) is used with eight types of gasification gases in this study. The electric power is generated by electrochemical hydrogen conversion in fuel cell type PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell). Energy and exergy analyses are applied to evaluate the performance of the system model. The simulation demonstrates that hydrogen production varies with the operation temperature of the reforming reactor and with the composition of the gas mixture. The maximum H 2 mole fraction (0.6-0.64 mol.mol -1 ) and exergetic efficiency of 91-92.5% for the reforming reactor are achieved when gas mixtures of higher quality such as: GGAS2, GGAS4 and GGAS5 are used. The use of those gas mixtures for electric power generation results in lower irreversibility and higher exergetic efficiency of 30-30.5%.

The use of photovoltaic solar energy for electricity generation has been even more considered in many countries worldwide as an excellent alternative to reduce the man-made environmental impacts, especially those associated with climate changes. In countries such as Japan, Germany, USA and other European countries, specific regulatory mechanisms have been developed to stimulate its use either through governmental programs or financial and/or tax incentives. The main common reasons on these programs are the diversification of energy sources traditionally used, namely the need to adopt a sustainable energy model, the encouragement of the photovoltaic equipment industry, an affordable technology, and a concern with the environment, mainly to the reduction of CO2 emissions. In the Brazilian case, despite the large solar resource potential, many things still need to be done and, since then only a small number of initiatives were undertaken to encourage solar photovoltaic energy, but still very small when compared to the countries mentioned above. In this sense, this paper has the purpose of presenting the evolution of the regulatory incentives concerned to the use of photovoltaic solar energy in Brazil over the years.