Araguacema, Tocantins, Brazil represents an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation through photovoltaic (PV) systems. Located in the tropical region at coordinates -8.9135, -49.4091, this area benefits from the consistent sunlight typical of equatorial zones, where seasonal variations are primarily defined by wet and dry periods rather than dramatic temperature changes.

Solar Energy Production Potential

The solar energy output data for Araguacema demonstrates strong and consistent performance throughout the year. Winter emerges as the most productive season, generating 6.37 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. This peak performance during winter months is common in tropical locations south of the equator, where the sun's angle becomes more favorable during this period. Spring follows as the second-best performing season with 5.66 kWh/day per kW, while autumn produces 5.46 kWh/day per kW. Even summer, the lowest-producing season, still delivers a respectable 5.23 kWh/day per kW of installed capacity. For optimal year-round energy production, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 10 degrees facing north. This angle maximizes total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's path throughout the year and the location's proximity to the equator.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several significant environmental factors in Araguacema could impact solar energy production and require careful consideration during installation: Tropical Rainfall and Humidity The region's wet season brings heavy rainfall and high humidity levels that can affect solar panel efficiency. Excessive moisture can lead to corrosion of electrical components and reduce the panels' ability to convert sunlight effectively. Additionally, frequent rain can leave water spots and debris on panel surfaces, blocking sunlight. Dust and Particulate Matter During dry seasons, dust accumulation becomes a major concern. The tropical climate combined with agricultural activities in the region can generate significant amounts of airborne particles that settle on solar panels, creating a film that reduces light transmission and energy output. High Temperatures While abundant sunlight is beneficial, the intense tropical heat can actually decrease solar panel efficiency. Most photovoltaic panels lose efficiency as temperatures rise above their optimal operating range, which can be problematic in consistently hot climates.

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar energy production despite these environmental challenges:

• Install panels with adequate spacing and ventilation underneath to promote air circulation and cooling
• Use mounting systems that allow for easy cleaning access and implement regular maintenance schedules
• Apply anti-reflective and hydrophobic coatings to panel surfaces to reduce dust adhesion and improve water runoff
• Install automated cleaning systems or plan for frequent manual cleaning, especially during dry seasons
• Choose high-quality, corrosion-resistant mounting hardware and electrical components rated for tropical conditions
• Implement proper drainage systems around installations to prevent water pooling during heavy rains

Overall Assessment

Despite the environmental challenges, Araguacema offers strong potential for solar energy generation. The consistent year-round production levels, with winter being particularly productive, make this location well-suited for solar PV installations. The relatively modest seasonal variation in output (ranging from 5.23 to 6.37 kWh/day per kW) indicates reliable energy production throughout the year. Success in this location depends heavily on proper installation techniques and regular maintenance to address the tropical climate's effects. With appropriate preventative measures in place, solar installations in Araguacema can achieve excellent long-term performance and provide reliable renewable energy generation.

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 Araguacema

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -8.9135, Longitude: -49.4091 (Araguacema, 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 10° North in Araguacema, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Araguacema, Brazil (Lat/Long -8.9135, -49.4091) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 10° 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 Araguacema, 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 Araguacema, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 10° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
7° South in Summer	16° North in Autumn	25° North in Winter	3° 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 Araguacema, 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 Araguacema, 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 Araguacema, Brazil

Topographical Features of the Araguacema Region

The landscape around Araguacema in Tocantins state presents a relatively gentle topography characteristic of the Brazilian Central Plateau region. This area sits within the Cerrado biome, where the terrain consists primarily of rolling hills, broad plateaus, and gentle undulations rather than steep mountainous features. The elevation changes are generally gradual, with the region positioned at a moderate altitude that provides good drainage while avoiding the extremes of either deep valleys or high peaks. The Araguaia River, one of Brazil's major waterways, flows nearby and has played a significant role in shaping the local landscape over geological time. The river system has created fertile floodplains and terraces that extend outward from the main channel, contributing to the area's relatively flat to gently sloping character. These alluvial deposits have resulted in expansive areas of level ground that are interspersed with low ridges and subtle depressions.

Vegetation and Land Use Patterns

The natural vegetation in this region consists primarily of Cerrado savanna, characterized by grasslands dotted with scattered trees and patches of gallery forest along watercourses. Much of the original vegetation has been modified for agricultural purposes, particularly cattle ranching and crop cultivation. This conversion has created large open areas with minimal tree cover, which significantly influences the suitability of different zones for solar installations. The agricultural transformation of the landscape has resulted in extensive cleared areas where the original forest cover has been removed. These converted lands typically feature relatively uniform topography with gentle slopes that facilitate both farming operations and potentially large-scale renewable energy development.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations would be the elevated plateau areas that extend to the west and southwest of Araguacema. These zones offer several advantages including stable, well-drained soils and minimal slope variations that would reduce construction and maintenance costs. The higher elevation areas also tend to have better air circulation, which can help maintain optimal operating temperatures for solar panels. Areas that have already been cleared for agriculture represent particularly attractive sites for solar development, as they require minimal additional land preparation and typically have existing access infrastructure. The gently rolling terrain in these converted agricultural zones provides natural drainage while maintaining the relatively flat profiles that are ideal for large solar arrays. The eastern approaches to the region, where the land gradually rises from the Araguaia River valley, also present good opportunities for solar installations. These areas combine the benefits of stable terrain with good accessibility, while being sufficiently elevated to avoid any potential flooding concerns associated with the river system. Areas to avoid for large-scale solar development would include the immediate floodplains of the Araguaia River and its tributaries, where seasonal water level variations could pose risks to infrastructure. Additionally, the few remaining forested areas, particularly the gallery forests along waterways, would be environmentally sensitive and less suitable for development from both ecological and practical perspectives.

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.