Alto Araguaia, Mato Grosso, Brazil presents an excellent location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation. This tropical location demonstrates consistently strong solar energy production throughout all seasons, making it highly suitable for solar installations.

Solar Energy Performance

The solar energy output at Alto Araguaia remains remarkably stable across all seasons. Summer delivers the highest production at 6.20 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, while winter shows the lowest output at 5.56 kWh per day per kW. Spring produces 6.05 kWh per day per kW, and autumn generates 5.72 kWh per day per kW. The relatively small variation between seasons - only about 11% difference between the highest and lowest producing periods - demonstrates the location's reliability for solar energy generation. Summer and spring represent the peak production periods, while winter shows a modest decrease in output. For optimal year-round energy production, solar panels at this location should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 17 degrees facing north. This angle maximizes total annual solar energy capture by accounting for the sun's path throughout the year and the site's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Being located in the tropics, Alto Araguaia experiences distinct wet and dry seasons rather than traditional temperature-based seasons. The wet season can present several challenges for solar installations that require careful planning and preventative measures.

• Heavy rainfall and storms during wet periods can reduce solar panel efficiency through cloud cover and debris accumulation
• High humidity levels may accelerate corrosion of metal components and electrical connections
• Dust and particulate matter during dry periods can accumulate on panel surfaces, reducing light transmission
• Potential for severe weather events including strong winds and hail

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

Several installation strategies can help maintain high energy production despite environmental challenges. Regular cleaning schedules become essential, particularly after dust storms or heavy rainfall that may leave residue on panels. Installing panels with adequate drainage and ventilation helps prevent moisture buildup and allows for natural cleaning during rain events. Using corrosion-resistant mounting hardware and electrical components specifically rated for tropical climates extends system lifespan and maintains performance. Proper structural design to withstand high winds and potential hail damage protects the investment while ensuring consistent energy production. Additionally, incorporating monitoring systems allows for quick identification of performance issues related to weather impacts. Despite these considerations, Alto Araguaia's consistent solar resource and relatively stable seasonal output make it an ideal location for solar PV installations when proper planning and installation practices are followed.

Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 3161 locations across Brazil. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Brazil by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Alto Araguaia

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -17.4844, Longitude: -53.4059 (Alto Araguaia, Brazil), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 17° North in Alto Araguaia, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Alto Araguaia, Brazil (Lat/Long -17.4844, -53.4059) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 17° North for fixed panel installations.

As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.

We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Alto Araguaia, Brazil

If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Alto Araguaia, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 17° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
2° North in Summer	24° North in Autumn	33° North in Winter	11° North in Spring

Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.

This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.

Calculate solar panel row spacing in Alto Araguaia, Brazil

We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Alto Araguaia, Brazil.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. Minimum Spacing:
   We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.

This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.

Topography for solar PV around Alto Araguaia, Brazil

Topographical Features of Alto Araguaia Region

Alto Araguaia sits in the southeastern portion of Mato Grosso state, positioned within the Brazilian Central Plateau region. The landscape surrounding this municipality consists primarily of gently rolling hills and broad, flat-topped plateaus characteristic of the Cerrado biome. Elevations in the immediate area typically range from 400 to 600 meters above sea level, with the terrain gradually rising toward the Serra do Roncador mountain range to the north. The topography exhibits a relatively gentle relief with moderate undulations rather than steep mountainous terrain. The region features extensive flat to gently sloping areas interspersed with low hills and shallow valleys carved by seasonal waterways. These landforms result from millions of years of erosion acting upon the ancient crystalline rocks of the Brazilian Shield, creating a landscape of weathered surfaces and sedimentary deposits.

Drainage and Landscape Patterns

The Araguaia River system significantly influences the local topography, with numerous tributaries creating a dendritic drainage pattern across the landscape. Valley floors tend to be relatively narrow and are often subject to seasonal flooding during the wet season. Between these drainage channels, broad interfluves create extensive flat to gently rolling upland areas that dominate the regional landscape. The transition between different elevational zones occurs gradually rather than abruptly, with long, gentle slopes connecting valley bottoms to upland surfaces. This creates a landscape mosaic of different microtopographic conditions, from poorly drained lowlands to well-drained elevated areas.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations would be the elevated plateau areas and gentle upper slopes throughout the region. These upland surfaces offer several topographical advantages, including excellent drainage characteristics that prevent water accumulation around equipment, minimal slope gradients that reduce installation complexity and costs, and stable geological foundations. The broad interfluves between major drainage channels present particularly attractive development opportunities. These areas typically feature consistent gentle slopes of less than five degrees, extensive continuous flat areas suitable for large arrays, and natural elevation that provides good air circulation for equipment cooling. The stable, well-consolidated soils found on these upland surfaces also provide reliable foundations for mounting systems. Areas to avoid would include the immediate floodplains of rivers and streams, steep-sided valley walls where they occur, and any locations with evidence of seasonal waterlogging. The narrow valley bottoms, while relatively flat, present risks from periodic flooding and may have access limitations due to surrounding slopes.

Regional Accessibility and Infrastructure Considerations

The rolling plateau topography generally favors infrastructure development, with most areas accessible via existing agricultural roads that serve the region's extensive farming operations. The gentle terrain facilitates the construction of access roads and transmission line corridors without requiring significant earthwork or engineering solutions for steep grades. The elevated nature of the most suitable sites also provides natural advantages for grid connection, as transmission lines can follow ridgelines and elevated corridors while avoiding sensitive riparian areas in the valleys below. This topographical arrangement supports both the technical requirements of large-scale solar installations and the practical needs of construction and ongoing maintenance access.

Brazil solar PV Stats as a country

Brazil ranks 13th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 13,708 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 2.50% of Brazil's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 31st in the world). Each year Brazil is generating 64 Watts from solar PV per capita (Brazil ranks 47th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Brazil?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Brazil. The Brazilian government offers a range of tax credits and other financial incentives to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include reduced import taxes on solar equipment, accelerated depreciation of investments in renewable energy projects, and preferential financing from public banks. Additionally, some states offer additional incentives such as subsidies or grants for businesses that install solar systems.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Brazil? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential

The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.

However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.