Barreiras, Bahia, Brazil, located at -15.5337, -39.1395, offers a generally favorable location for solar PV energy production throughout the year, benefiting from its tropical position where sunlight remains relatively consistent across seasons.

The location demonstrates strong solar generation potential across all seasons, with autumn showing the highest daily output at 5.96 kWh per kW of installed capacity. Spring follows closely at 5.80 kWh/day, with summer producing 5.69 kWh/day. Winter sees the lowest production at 4.67 kWh/day, but this figure remains substantial compared to many other global locations.

For maximizing year-round solar production at this location, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 15-degree tilt facing North. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize annual energy harvest based on the site's latitude and seasonal solar patterns.

Seasonal Considerations

The seasonal variation in Barreiras shows that autumn and spring are particularly productive periods for solar generation. The modest drop in winter production suggests that while there is some seasonal effect, the tropical location helps maintain relatively consistent solar potential throughout the year.

This pattern aligns with the typical wet and dry season dynamics of tropical regions, rather than the more dramatic seasonal shifts seen in temperate climates. The relatively small difference between the highest and lowest seasonal outputs (1.29 kWh/day) confirms the location's year-round suitability for solar power.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors could potentially impact solar production at this location. Being in a tropical region, Barreiras may experience periods of heavy rainfall during the wet season, which could temporarily reduce solar output. Cloud cover associated with these rainfall patterns represents the most significant potential impediment to consistent solar generation.

High humidity levels typical of tropical regions can also slightly reduce panel efficiency, while dust accumulation during dry seasons may gradually diminish performance if not addressed.

To mitigate these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Installing panels with a slightly steeper angle than the optimal 15 degrees to promote natural cleaning during rainfall
• Implementing regular cleaning schedules, particularly during the dry season
• Using anti-soiling coatings on panel surfaces to reduce dust accumulation
• Selecting humidity-resistant components and ensuring proper sealing of all electrical connections
• Incorporating weather forecasting into energy management systems to better predict output fluctuations

With these considerations addressed, Barreiras represents an excellent location for solar PV deployment, with consistent year-round production potential that makes it suitable for 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 Barreiras

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -15.5337, Longitude: -39.1395 (Barreiras, 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 15° North in Barreiras, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Barreiras, Brazil (Lat/Long -15.5337, -39.1395) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 15° 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 Barreiras, 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 Barreiras, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 15° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
0° in Summer	21° North in Autumn	31° North in Winter	10° 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 Barreiras, 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 Barreiras, 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 Barreiras, Brazil

The region around Barreiras, Brazil, located at coordinates -15.5337, -39.1395, features a diverse topographical landscape characteristic of Brazil's northeastern interior. This area sits within the state of Bahia, in a transition zone between the cerrado (tropical savanna) and the semi-arid caatinga biomes. The terrain is generally characterized by gently rolling plains interspersed with plateaus and shallow valleys.

Regional Topography

The landscape surrounding Barreiras is dominated by the São Francisco River basin, one of Brazil's most significant river systems. The area features predominantly flat to moderately undulating terrain, with elevations typically ranging between 450 and 800 meters above sea level. The western portions of the region rise toward the Serra Geral de Goiás, a mountain range that forms part of the Central Brazilian Plateau. To the east of Barreiras, the terrain gradually descends toward the coastal plains of Bahia. This transitional zone creates a varied landscape with distinctive soil compositions and vegetation patterns. The region experiences a tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons, which has shaped the natural contours of the land through erosion and deposition processes over millennia.

Hydrological Features

The São Francisco River and its tributaries have carved shallow valleys throughout the region, creating a network of waterways that influence the local topography. These river systems have formed alluvial plains in some areas, characterized by fertile soils and gentler slopes. The watershed dynamics play a crucial role in shaping the undulations of the landscape, with more pronounced relief features appearing near river channels and their associated drainage basins.

Potential for Solar PV Development

Given the topographical characteristics of the Barreiras region, several areas present favorable conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. The most suitable locations would be found on the extensive plateaus and gently sloping plains that dominate the landscape west and southwest of the city. These areas offer relatively flat terrain with minimal shadowing effects from topographical features, maximizing solar exposure throughout the day. The elevated plateaus, locally known as "chapadas," provide excellent sites for solar development due to their flat surfaces, good drainage characteristics, and reduced vegetation density. These natural platforms, typically ranging from 700 to 800 meters in elevation, benefit from unobstructed solar access and stable ground conditions that simplify construction and maintenance of large PV arrays. Areas to the north and northwest of Barreiras, where the cerrado vegetation is less dense and the terrain maintains a consistent elevation profile, would also be highly suitable for solar development. These regions feature well-drained soils and minimal risk of flooding, important considerations for long-term infrastructure investments.

Topographical Constraints

While much of the region offers favorable conditions, certain topographical features present challenges for solar PV development. The more deeply incised river valleys and areas with pronounced slopes exceeding 10-15 degrees would require significant terrain modification, increasing development costs and environmental impacts. Additionally, low-lying areas near water bodies may be subject to seasonal flooding, particularly during the wet season from November to April. The eastern portions of the region, where the terrain becomes more irregular as it transitions toward the coastal zones, would generally be less suitable for large-scale installations due to increased variation in elevation and more complex drainage patterns. In conclusion, the optimal areas for solar PV development around Barreiras would be the elevated plateaus and gently rolling plains to the west, southwest, and northwest of the city, where the combination of favorable topography, minimal vegetation interference, and stable ground conditions create an ideal environment for capturing solar energy at scale.

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.