Coruripe, Alagoas, Brazil, situated at latitude -10.0716 and longitude -36.1919, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical setting benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasonal variations primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature fluctuations.

The solar potential in Coruripe demonstrates a favorable year-round pattern. Spring emerges as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 7.25 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely behind at 7.07 kWh/day, while autumn and winter show slightly reduced but still substantial yields of 6.09 kWh/day and 5.37 kWh/day, respectively.

Optimal Solar Generation Periods

The data suggests that spring and summer are the ideal times for solar energy production in Coruripe. However, the relatively small variation between seasons indicates that solar panels can operate efficiently throughout the year, making this location particularly suitable for consistent renewable energy generation.

For fixed panel installations in Coruripe, Alagoas, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 9 degrees North. This angle takes into account the location's proximity to the equator and the sun's path throughout the year, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight across all seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Coruripe presents favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The region's tropical climate can bring periods of heavy rainfall, particularly during the wet season. This may temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency due to cloud cover and direct precipitation on the panels.

To mitigate these effects, several preventative measures can be implemented during solar installation:

• Use high-quality, water-resistant solar panels designed to withstand tropical conditions
• Install adequate drainage systems to prevent water accumulation on panel surfaces
• Implement regular cleaning and maintenance schedules to remove any debris or salt deposits that may accumulate due to coastal proximity

By addressing these factors, solar installations in Coruripe can maintain high levels of energy production throughout the year, capitalizing on the location's excellent solar potential.

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 Coruripe

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -10.0716, Longitude: -36.1919 (Coruripe, 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 Coruripe, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Coruripe, Brazil (Lat/Long -10.0716, -36.1919) 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 Coruripe, 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 Coruripe, 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
6° South in Summer	16° North in Autumn	26° North in Winter	4° 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 Coruripe, 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 Coruripe, 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 Coruripe, Brazil

The topography around Coruripe, Brazil, is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from coastal lowlands to gently rolling hills as you move inland. Situated in the state of Alagoas, Coruripe lies along the Atlantic coast, where sandy beaches and mangrove swamps dominate the immediate shoreline. As you move away from the coast, the terrain gradually rises, forming a series of low hills and plateaus that are part of the larger Brazilian Highlands. The coastal plain near Coruripe is relatively flat, with elevations typically ranging from sea level to about 30 meters. This area is dotted with lagoons, estuaries, and small rivers that flow into the Atlantic Ocean. The soil in this region is predominantly sandy and well-drained, supporting a mix of coastal vegetation and agricultural land.

Inland Topography

Moving further inland, the landscape becomes more undulating, with hills reaching heights of 100 to 200 meters above sea level. These hills are generally rounded and covered with a mix of grasslands, shrubs, and patches of tropical dry forest. The terrain in this area is dissected by numerous small streams and rivers, creating a network of shallow valleys between the hills. The soil composition changes as you move away from the coast, becoming more clay-rich and fertile. This transition in soil type has historically supported sugarcane cultivation, which is a significant economic activity in the region.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas nearby Coruripe for large-scale solar PV installations, the inland regions offer the most promising locations. The gently rolling hills provide ample space and favorable conditions for solar farms. These areas benefit from several advantages: Firstly, the elevated terrain reduces the risk of flooding and provides better exposure to sunlight throughout the day. The hills also tend to have less vegetation cover compared to the coastal areas, minimizing the need for extensive land clearing. Secondly, the inland regions typically experience less cloud cover and rainfall compared to the immediate coastal areas, ensuring more consistent solar radiation. The dry, sunny climate of this part of Brazil is conducive to solar energy production. Lastly, the availability of large tracts of non-agricultural land in the hilly areas makes it easier to develop extensive solar installations without significantly impacting food production or natural habitats. While the coastal plains could also accommodate solar farms, they may be less ideal due to potential conflicts with urban development, tourism, and the risk of sea-level rise in the long term. Additionally, the sandy soil near the coast may require more extensive foundation work for solar panel installations. In conclusion, the diverse topography around Coruripe offers several options for solar PV development, with the inland hills presenting the most favorable conditions for large-scale installations.

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.