Angelina, Santa Catarina, Brazil, located in the Southern Sub Tropics at coordinates -27.5356, -49.0813, offers a fairly good location for solar PV energy generation, though with notable seasonal variations. The site experiences moderate to good solar potential throughout the year, with performance peaking during summer months.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy production at this location follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer (December to February) yields the highest output at 6.22kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring (September to November) provides the second-best performance at 4.68kWh/day, followed by autumn (March to May) at 4.40kWh/day. Winter (June to August) shows the lowest production at 3.22kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

This seasonal variation means that Angelina receives roughly half the solar energy in winter compared to summer months. However, even during winter, the location still generates a reasonable amount of electricity, making year-round solar production viable.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximum year-round energy production at this location, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 24 degrees facing North. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize annual energy capture based on the site's latitude and seasonal solar patterns.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Angelina:

• Cloud cover and rainfall: The region experiences relatively high precipitation, particularly during summer thunderstorms, which can temporarily reduce solar output despite being the sunniest season.
• Morning fog: Being in a subtropical region with nearby water bodies, morning fog may delay peak production hours, especially in autumn and winter.
• Dust and pollen: Agricultural activities and natural vegetation in the region can lead to dust and pollen accumulation on panels.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Regular cleaning schedule: Implementing quarterly panel cleaning, with additional cleaning during pollen seasons.
• Elevated installation: Mounting panels higher can reduce the impact of morning fog and minimize dust accumulation.
• Quality inverters: Using inverters with good partial-shading performance can help maintain reasonable output during cloudy periods.
• Weather-resistant components: Selecting equipment rated for high humidity environments will ensure longevity in this subtropical climate.

Overall, Angelina provides a good location for solar PV installation, with summer and spring being particularly productive seasons. With proper system design and maintenance, a solar installation here can provide reliable renewable energy throughout the year.

Note: The Southern Sub Tropics extend from -23.5° latitude South down to -35° latitude.

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 Angelina

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -27.5356, Longitude: -49.0813 (Angelina, 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 24° North in Angelina, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Angelina, Brazil (Lat/Long -27.5356, -49.0813) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 24° 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 Angelina, 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 Angelina, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 24° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
12° North in Summer	33° North in Autumn	43° North in Winter	20° 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 Angelina, 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 Angelina, 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 Angelina, Brazil

The topography around Angelina, Brazil presents a complex and varied landscape characteristic of the southern Brazilian highlands. Located in the state of Santa Catarina, this region features undulating terrain that transitions between rolling hills and more pronounced mountainous areas. The elevation generally ranges from approximately 800 to 1,400 meters above sea level, creating a topographical profile that varies significantly over relatively short distances. Angelina sits within the Serra do Mar mountain range, which runs parallel to the Atlantic coastline. This positioning results in a landscape characterized by steep slopes in many areas, particularly as one moves eastward toward the coast. The western portions tend to feature more gradual inclines and broader valleys. Throughout the region, numerous small rivers and streams have carved valleys into the terrain, creating a network of natural drainage channels that further diversify the topography.

Vegetation and Land Cover

The natural vegetation around Angelina consists primarily of Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) remnants, though much has been converted to agricultural use or experienced other forms of human intervention. The remaining forested areas typically occupy steeper slopes and less accessible locations. Lower elevations and flatter areas have generally been cleared for farming, ranching, or development.

Solar PV Suitability

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the most suitable areas near Angelina would be the relatively flat plateaus and gently sloping terrain primarily found to the west and northwest of the town center. These areas offer several advantages for solar development: The western plateaus feature more consistent elevations with gradual slopes generally facing north (optimal for the Southern Hemisphere), providing favorable conditions for solar panel placement without extensive grading or terracing requirements. These locations typically range between 900-1,100 meters elevation, positioning them above many of the morning fog patterns that can develop in the lower valleys. Several cleared agricultural areas in this direction present opportunities for solar development with minimal additional land clearing requirements. The existing road infrastructure in these areas would also facilitate construction and maintenance access.

Challenging Topography for Solar Development

In contrast, the eastern and southeastern regions near Angelina present significant challenges for large-scale solar installations. These areas feature more dramatic topography with steep slopes, narrow valleys, and heavily forested sections. The increased shadowing effects from surrounding mountains, particularly in the morning and evening, would reduce overall solar generation efficiency. The northeastern valleys, while featuring some flatter terrain, experience more frequent cloud cover due to orographic lifting as coastal air masses move inland and rise over the mountains. This meteorological pattern makes these areas less ideal for solar power generation despite their seemingly suitable flat topography.

Soil and Geological Considerations

The soil composition around Angelina varies considerably, with the western plateaus generally featuring more stable, deeper soils that would provide better foundation conditions for solar array mounting systems. In contrast, some of the steeper eastern slopes have thinner soil layers over bedrock, which would increase construction complexity and costs for large installations. In summary, the optimal areas for large-scale solar PV development near Angelina would be the gently sloping plateaus to the west and northwest, where the combination of favorable topography, existing cleared land, and superior solar exposure conditions create the most promising environment for efficient and economical solar energy production.

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!

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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.