Solar Energy Potential in Araguatins, Tocantins, Brazil

Araguatins, Tocantins, Brazil, located in the tropical region at coordinates -5.6379, -48.0896, presents a promising location for year-round solar energy generation. This northern Brazilian town benefits from its tropical position where sunlight remains relatively consistent throughout the year, with seasons defined more by rainfall patterns than temperature variations. The solar energy production potential in Araguatins shows remarkable stability across all seasons. During winter, the location achieves its peak performance with an impressive 6.17 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. The remaining seasons also demonstrate strong performance: autumn yields 5.50 kWh/day, spring produces 5.47 kWh/day, and summer generates 5.04 kWh/day per kilowatt installed. This seasonal pattern reveals that Araguatins experiences its optimal solar production during the winter months, which in the Southern Hemisphere typically corresponds to June through August. This winter peak is likely due to clearer skies during the dry season, when cloud cover is minimized and solar irradiance can reach the panels more directly.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Araguatins, Tocantins, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 7 degrees facing North. This relatively small tilt angle reflects the location's proximity to the equator, where the sun passes nearly overhead throughout much of the year. This optimal angle has been calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation patterns at this specific latitude, weighted by the daily photovoltaic potential.

Environmental Considerations

Despite the excellent year-round solar potential, several environmental factors could affect solar production in Araguatins:

• Heavy rainfall during the wet season (typically December to May) may temporarily reduce solar output due to cloud cover and direct precipitation on panels.
• High humidity levels can create condensation on panels, potentially reducing efficiency if not properly managed.
• Dust accumulation during the dry season can gradually decrease panel performance if not addressed.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production in Araguatins, Tocantins, several preventative measures can be implemented: Installing self-cleaning panels or implementing a regular cleaning schedule can mitigate dust buildup, especially during the dry season. Using quality anti-reflective coatings on panels can help reduce efficiency losses from moisture and humidity. Additionally, ensuring proper drainage around the installation area will prevent water accumulation during heavy tropical downpours. For larger installations, incorporating a tracking system rather than fixed panels could further increase energy yield by following the sun's path, though this would increase initial investment costs. However, even with fixed panels at the recommended 7-degree tilt, the consistent year-round production makes Araguatins an excellent location for solar energy investment.

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 Araguatins

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -5.6379, Longitude: -48.0896 (Araguatins, 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 7° North in Araguatins, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Araguatins, Brazil (Lat/Long -5.6379, -48.0896) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 7° 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 Araguatins, 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 Araguatins, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 7° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
10° South in Summer	12° North in Autumn	21° North in Winter	0° 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 Araguatins, 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 Araguatins, 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 Araguatins, Brazil

The landscape surrounding Araguatins, Brazil, situated at the northern edge of Tocantins state, is characterized by a diverse topography shaped by the influence of the Araguaia River. The town itself sits at the confluence of the Araguaia and Tocantins rivers, creating a strategic location in the eastern Amazon basin. The elevation in this region is relatively modest, averaging between 100 to 200 meters above sea level, with gentle undulations rather than dramatic changes in elevation. The immediate vicinity of Araguatins features a mix of floodplains along the riverbanks and gradually rising terrain as one moves away from the water bodies. The Araguaia River, which forms part of the border between Tocantins and Pará states, has created extensive alluvial plains that periodically flood during the rainy season, typically from November to April. These floodplains transition into more stable, elevated terrain that remains dry throughout the year.

Regional Landforms

Moving beyond the immediate surroundings of Araguatins, the landscape gradually transitions to the typical cerrado (savanna) vegetation that dominates much of central Brazil. This terrain is characterized by open grasslands interspersed with clusters of twisted trees and shrubs adapted to the seasonal climate. The cerrado areas typically occupy higher, better-drained soils compared to the riverine zones. To the west and northwest, the landscape begins to merge with the Amazon rainforest ecosystem, with denser vegetation and more consistent tree cover. The eastern portions of the region show more pronounced topographic variation, with occasional hills and plateaus rising above the general landscape. These elevated areas often feature exposed bedrock and thinner soils compared to the lowland areas.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas in the vicinity of Araguatins offer promising conditions. The most suitable locations would be the gently sloping upland areas away from the river floodplains, particularly to the east and southeast of Araguatins. These areas benefit from stable ground conditions, reduced flooding risk, and minimal shadowing effects from terrain features. The cerrado regions, with their naturally open vegetation, present excellent opportunities for solar development. These locations typically require less clearing of vegetation compared to forested areas, reducing both environmental impact and installation costs. The higher elevation plateaus, where they occur, offer particularly good conditions as they often experience less cloud cover than lower-lying areas. Areas to avoid would include the seasonal floodplains along the Araguaia and Tocantins rivers, as well as any designated conservation zones or indigenous territories that may be present in the region. Additionally, the more densely forested areas to the west would require significant clearing, making them less environmentally and economically suitable for large-scale solar development. The gently rolling terrain approximately 10-30 kilometers east of Araguatins presents perhaps the optimal balance of favorable topography, accessibility, and minimal environmental disruption. These areas feature sufficient elevation to avoid flooding concerns while maintaining relatively flat aspects that simplify construction and maximize solar exposure. The well-drained soils in these upland areas also provide stable foundations for mounting systems without extensive engineering requirements.

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

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