Buriticupu, Maranhão, Brazil offers an exceptionally consistent solar energy potential throughout the year, making it a highly favorable location for solar PV installations. Located in the tropical region of Brazil at coordinates -4.5197, -46.3771, this location benefits from remarkably stable solar radiation patterns across all seasons.

Year-Round Solar Production Potential

The solar electricity generation potential at Buriticupu remains strong and consistent through all meteorological seasons. Winter actually represents the peak production period with an impressive 5.85 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. This is followed closely by autumn with 5.73 kWh/day, spring with 5.63 kWh/day, and summer with 5.23 kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This minimal seasonal variation (with only about 11% difference between the highest and lowest producing seasons) is characteristic of tropical locations, where the sun's path across the sky remains relatively consistent throughout the year. The data indicates Buriticupu is an ideal location for solar energy production with dependable output across all seasons.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Buriticupu, Maranhão, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 5 degrees facing North. This relatively flat orientation reflects the location's proximity to the equator, where the sun passes nearly overhead throughout much of the year. This optimal angle ensures panels capture maximum solar radiation across all seasons without requiring the added complexity and cost of tracking systems.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Despite the excellent solar potential, there are some environmental factors to consider when installing solar PV systems in Buriticupu:

• Heavy seasonal rainfall during the wet season may temporarily reduce solar output and could potentially damage improperly sealed equipment.
• High humidity levels can accelerate corrosion of mounting hardware and electrical connections if not properly protected.
• Tropical vegetation grows rapidly and could shade panels if not regularly maintained.

To mitigate these challenges, installations should incorporate several preventative measures. Using marine-grade stainless steel mounting hardware and properly sealed junction boxes will prevent moisture-related degradation. Elevating panels sufficiently above ground level and implementing a regular vegetation management plan will prevent shading issues. Additionally, installing systems with proper drainage and slight additional tilt (beyond the optimal 5 degrees) can help prevent water accumulation on panels during heavy rainfall.

With these considerations addressed, Buriticupu represents an excellent location for solar PV installations with its consistent year-round production potential and minimal seasonal variation.

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 Buriticupu

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -4.5197, Longitude: -46.3771 (Buriticupu, 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 5° North in Buriticupu, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Buriticupu, Brazil (Lat/Long -4.5197, -46.3771) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 5° 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 Buriticupu, 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 Buriticupu, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 5° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
11° South in Summer	11° North in Autumn	20° North in Winter	1° South 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 Buriticupu, 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 Buriticupu, 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 Buriticupu, Brazil

Buriticupu is situated in the western part of Maranhão state in northeastern Brazil, characterized by a diverse topographical landscape that transitions between the Amazon Basin and the Brazilian Highlands. The terrain around Buriticupu features gently rolling hills and plateaus with moderate elevation changes, typically ranging between 100 to 300 meters above sea level. The region surrounding Buriticupu is part of the pre-Amazon ecosystem, with a landscape that has been significantly modified by human activity over recent decades. The natural topography consists of undulating terrain with numerous small valleys and drainage systems flowing toward the major river networks of the region. These valleys create a patchwork of lowlands interspersed with higher ground.

Vegetation and Land Cover

The original dense tropical forest coverage has been partially cleared in many areas for agricultural purposes, timber extraction, and urban development. This land-use change has created open spaces with varying degrees of vegetation density. The remaining forested areas are primarily concentrated along water courses and in more remote or protected locations. The soil composition in the region is predominantly latosols (oxisols), which are deeply weathered, acidic soils typical of tropical regions. These soils have moderate to good drainage properties but often require amendments for optimal agricultural productivity.

Solar Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the most suitable areas near Buriticupu would be the cleared plateaus and higher elevation zones that receive consistent solar radiation throughout the year. These areas offer several advantages: The gently sloping highlands to the south and southeast of Buriticupu present particularly favorable conditions. These areas typically have reduced cloud cover compared to lowland regions and benefit from good drainage, reducing the risk of flooding during the rainy season. Areas that have already been cleared for agricultural purposes but may be marginally productive could be ideal candidates for solar development, providing an alternative economic use without additional deforestation. These locations often have existing access roads, simplifying construction and maintenance logistics. The relatively flat terrain on the plateaus requires minimal grading for installation of solar arrays, reducing construction costs and environmental impact. These elevated areas also typically experience slightly lower humidity levels, which can improve photovoltaic efficiency.

Considerations for Development

While developing solar projects, careful attention should be paid to the seasonal water dynamics in the region. The distinct wet and dry seasons in Maranhão mean that erosion control measures are essential for maintaining site integrity, particularly on sloped terrain. Areas to avoid would include the lower-lying flood-prone zones near rivers and streams, densely forested regions that would require significant clearing, and locations with challenging access due to steep terrain or lack of existing infrastructure. The northeastern portions of the municipality, where the topography transitions to slightly higher elevations with more consistent exposure, represent prime locations for solar development when considering the balance of solar resource, land availability, and infrastructure accessibility.

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.