Solar Energy Potential in Bombinhas, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Bombinhas, Santa Catarina, Brazil, located in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers generally favorable conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with notable seasonal variations. The coastal location experiences distinct energy production patterns across the four seasons, making it a location with good but not exceptional solar potential. Solar energy production in Bombinhas follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer stands out as the most productive period with 6.18kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season at 4.73kWh/day, with autumn close behind at 4.46kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest production at 3.32kWh/day per kW installed, which is still reasonable for maintaining energy generation.

Seasonal Performance

The data reveals that summer months (December through February) are clearly optimal for solar generation in Bombinhas, Santa Catarina, producing nearly twice the electricity of winter months. This makes the period from November through March particularly valuable for solar energy harvesting. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn provide moderate but consistent production. For maximum year-round energy production, solar panels in Bombinhas should be installed at a 24-degree tilt facing North. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize annual electricity generation based on the location's position in the Southern Hemisphere, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the weighted solar potential throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

Being a coastal location, Bombinhas faces some environmental factors that could impact solar production. Salt spray from the nearby ocean can gradually accumulate on panels, creating a film that reduces efficiency. Regular cleaning with fresh water is recommended to prevent this buildup, ideally every 2-3 months. Afternoon sea breezes actually provide a benefit by helping to cool panels, potentially improving efficiency compared to hotter inland locations. However, the area can experience occasional summer thunderstorms and periods of coastal fog, particularly in the morning hours, which temporarily reduce production. To maximize energy generation in this location, installation should include:

• Corrosion-resistant mounting hardware specifically designed for coastal environments
• Easy-access panel arrangements to facilitate regular cleaning
• Slightly elevated installation height to minimize sand accumulation
• High-quality inverters with good partial shading tolerance to handle morning fog conditions

With proper installation and maintenance, Bombinhas offers a viable location for solar PV, with an annual average of approximately 4.67kWh per day for each kilowatt installed—sufficient for most residential and small commercial applications.

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 Bombinhas

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -27.1792, Longitude: -48.4976 (Bombinhas, 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 Bombinhas, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bombinhas, Brazil (Lat/Long -27.1792, -48.4976) 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 Bombinhas, 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 Bombinhas, 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
11° 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 Bombinhas, 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 Bombinhas, 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 Bombinhas, Brazil

Bombinhas is a picturesque municipality located on a small peninsula in Santa Catarina state, Brazil. The topography of this coastal region is characterized by a dramatic interplay between the Atlantic Ocean and the Serra do Mar mountain range. The landscape features numerous hills and small mountains that rise steeply from the coastline, creating a rugged, undulating terrain throughout the peninsula. The municipality is surrounded by water on three sides, with several bays and inlets carving into its coastline. These coastal areas transition quickly to elevated terrain, with hills reaching heights of 100-200 meters above sea level within a short distance from the shore. The highest points in the immediate Bombinhas area include Morro do Macaco (Monkey Hill) and other unnamed elevations that form part of the coastal mountain system.

Vegetation and Land Cover

The natural vegetation in Bombinhas consists primarily of Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) remnants on the hillsides, with coastal vegetation including restinga (sandy coastal forest) in lower areas. Much of the flatter terrain has been developed for urban use, as Bombinhas is a popular tourist destination with numerous beaches.

Surrounding Region

Expanding outward from the immediate Bombinhas peninsula, the topography becomes increasingly varied. To the west and northwest lies the mainland portion of Santa Catarina, where the terrain gradually rises toward the Serra do Mar mountains. This area features a mix of coastal plains, rolling hills, and steeper mountainous terrain further inland.

Potential Solar PV Sites

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas in the broader region surrounding Bombinhas offer more suitable conditions than the peninsula itself: The inland plains west of Bombinhas, particularly in the direction of Tijucas and Biguaçu, present more favorable topography for large-scale solar development. These areas feature gentler slopes and more extensive flat or gently rolling terrain that could accommodate substantial solar arrays. The coastal plains north of Bombinhas, extending toward Itajaí, also offer potential sites with relatively flat topography and good solar exposure. These areas benefit from reduced shading concerns compared to the hilly peninsula. Some of the elevated plateaus in the region, particularly those with south-facing aspects (in the Southern Hemisphere, north-facing slopes receive more direct sunlight), could be suitable for solar development if accessibility issues can be addressed.

Topographical Challenges

The immediate Bombinhas area presents several challenges for large-scale solar development. The steep terrain creates significant shading issues throughout the day as hills cast shadows across adjacent areas. The limited flat land is largely occupied by urban development or protected natural areas. Additionally, the proximity to the ocean introduces concerns about salt spray and corrosion for solar equipment. The mountainous terrain also complicates infrastructure development, including road access and grid connections that would be necessary for commercial-scale solar operations.

Regional Advantages

Despite these challenges, the broader Santa Catarina region does offer some advantages for solar energy development. The varied topography means that strategic site selection can identify locations with optimal solar exposure. The region also experiences relatively consistent seasonal patterns, without extreme temperature fluctuations that might affect solar panel efficiency. For utility-scale solar development, focusing on the inland plains and gentler slopes outside the immediate Bombinhas peninsula would likely yield better results, balancing the need for suitable terrain with proximity to existing electrical infrastructure and population centers.

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.