Benedito Leite, Maranhão, Brazil presents an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation. Located in the tropical region at coordinates -7.107, -44.5876, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout most of the year, with seasons typically defined by wet and dry periods rather than dramatic temperature variations.

Solar Energy Production Potential

The solar energy output at this location shows strong performance across all seasons. Winter emerges as the peak production period, generating 6.71 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely with 6.28 kWh/day, while autumn produces 5.87 kWh/day. Summer shows the lowest output at 5.23 kWh/day, though this figure still represents solid energy generation potential. This seasonal pattern is typical for tropical locations, where the sun's angle during winter months creates optimal conditions for solar panels. The variation between the highest and lowest production seasons is relatively modest, making this location highly suitable for consistent year-round solar energy generation. For maximum efficiency, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 9 degrees facing north. This optimal angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles throughout the year and weighting them according to solar irradiance data to maximize total annual energy production.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several factors could potentially impact solar energy production in Benedito Leite, Maranhão, though most can be effectively managed with proper planning and installation techniques. Tropical Rainfall and Humidity: The region's wet season brings heavy rainfall and high humidity levels. While rain can actually help clean solar panels naturally, excessive moisture and cloud cover during prolonged rainy periods may temporarily reduce energy output. High humidity can also lead to corrosion of metal components if not properly protected. Dust and Particulate Matter: During dry seasons, dust accumulation on solar panels can significantly reduce their efficiency. In tropical agricultural regions like this area of Brazil, airborne particles from farming activities and natural vegetation can create a film on panel surfaces. Vegetation Growth: The tropical climate promotes rapid plant growth, which could lead to shading issues if vegetation is not properly managed around solar installations.

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

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

• Install panels with adequate drainage systems and ensure proper ventilation to prevent moisture buildup and promote quick drying after rainfall
• Use marine-grade or tropical-rated mounting hardware and electrical components specifically designed to resist corrosion in humid environments
• Apply anti-corrosive coatings to all metal framework and regularly inspect connections for signs of deterioration
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule, particularly during dry seasons, to remove dust and debris accumulation
• Design installations with easy access for maintenance crews to perform cleaning and inspections safely

Vegetation Management: Establish and maintain clear zones around solar installations to prevent shading from growing plants. Regular trimming of nearby trees and bushes should be scheduled to ensure panels receive unobstructed sunlight throughout the day. System Monitoring: Install monitoring systems that can track energy production in real-time, allowing for quick identification of performance issues that might indicate cleaning needs or equipment problems. Overall, Benedito Leite offers strong potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. With proper installation techniques and regular maintenance protocols designed for tropical conditions, solar installations in this location can achieve reliable, high-performance energy production while effectively managing the environmental challenges typical of this climate zone.

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 Benedito Leite

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -7.107, Longitude: -44.5876 (Benedito Leite, 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 9° North in Benedito Leite, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Benedito Leite, Brazil (Lat/Long -7.107, -44.5876) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 9° 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 Benedito Leite, 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 Benedito Leite, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 9° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
8° South in Summer	14° North in Autumn	23° North in Winter	2° 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 Benedito Leite, 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 Benedito Leite, 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 Benedito Leite, Brazil

Topographical Features of the Benedito Leite Region

Benedito Leite sits in the southern portion of Maranhão state, positioned within Brazil's expansive Cerrado savanna region. The landscape surrounding this municipality is characterized by gently rolling terrain with modest elevation changes typical of the Brazilian Central Plateau's eastern edges. The topography consists primarily of broad, undulating plains interspersed with low hills and shallow valleys carved by seasonal waterways.

The region experiences a transitional geography between the Amazon Basin to the west and the more arid Caatinga scrublands to the east. This positioning creates a landscape dominated by open grasslands dotted with scattered trees and gallery forests along watercourses. The terrain generally slopes gradually toward the northeast, following the drainage patterns that eventually feed into the Parnaíba River system.

Elevation changes across the area are typically gentle, with most of the surrounding landscape falling within a relatively narrow altitudinal band. The highest points in the vicinity consist of low ridges and isolated hills that rise modestly above the surrounding plains. These elevated areas are often capped with lateritic soils and support sparse vegetation adapted to well-drained conditions.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations lie on the broad, gently sloping plateaus that extend north and east of Benedito Leite. These areas offer several advantages including relatively flat terrain that minimizes grading requirements and reduces installation costs. The open savanna landscape provides excellent access for construction equipment and maintenance vehicles while requiring minimal vegetation clearing.

The elevated plains southeast of the municipality present particularly suitable conditions, featuring stable soils and good drainage that prevents waterlogging during the wet season. These areas benefit from consistent wind patterns that help maintain optimal panel temperatures and reduce dust accumulation. The terrain's natural slope provides adequate drainage while remaining gentle enough to accommodate large arrays without excessive earthwork.

Areas along the broader valley floors also show promise, particularly those with well-drained soils and minimal flood risk. These locations often provide larger contiguous parcels of suitable land, essential for utility-scale solar developments. The relatively uniform topography across these valley systems allows for standardized installation techniques and efficient panel spacing.

The region's scattered low hills should generally be avoided for large installations due to irregular terrain and potential shading issues. However, the gentler slopes of some ridgelines could accommodate smaller installations where they offer good southern exposure and stable soil conditions. Overall, the area's predominantly flat to gently rolling topography provides abundant opportunities for solar development across extensive areas of the surrounding landscape.

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.