Delta, Minas Gerais, Brazil, located at coordinates -19.936, -47.8012 in the tropical region, presents a very favorable location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation. The consistent sunlight typical of tropical areas means this location can reliably produce solar energy throughout all seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at Delta shows strong performance across all seasons, with summer delivering the highest production at 6.52kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely with 6.19kWh/day, while autumn generates 5.78kWh/day. Even during winter, the lowest production period, the location still produces a respectable 5.43kWh/day per kW installed. This seasonal variation of only about 1.09kWh between the best and worst performing seasons demonstrates the location's excellent year-round solar potential. Summer and spring represent the ideal times for maximum solar generation, though the relatively small seasonal difference means consistent energy production can be expected throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximum year-round solar production at Delta, Minas Gerais, fixed solar panels should be installed at an optimal tilt angle of 19 degrees facing North. This angle has been calculated to maximize total annual energy output by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the year and weighting for optimal solar irradiance conditions.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several local factors could potentially impact solar energy production at this tropical location:

• Seasonal rainfall patterns: The wet season typical of tropical climates can reduce solar output due to increased cloud cover and frequent precipitation
• High humidity levels: Persistent moisture in the air can create haze and reduce solar irradiance reaching the panels
• Dust accumulation: Dry periods may lead to dust buildup on panel surfaces, reducing efficiency
• Vegetation growth: The tropical climate promotes rapid plant growth that could create shading issues if not properly managed

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be considered. Panels should be mounted with adequate spacing and ventilation to prevent moisture buildup and allow for natural cleaning during rain events. The 19-degree tilt angle not only optimizes sun exposure but also helps rainwater naturally wash away dust and debris. Regular vegetation management around the solar installation site is essential to prevent shading from fast-growing tropical plants. Installing panels at sufficient height and maintaining clear zones around the array will help ensure unobstructed sunlight access. A routine cleaning and maintenance schedule should be established, particularly during dry periods when dust accumulation is most problematic. Anti-soiling coatings on panels can also help reduce the impact of dust and organic matter buildup common in tropical environments. Despite these potential challenges, Delta's location offers excellent solar energy potential with strong, consistent output throughout the year, making it highly suitable for solar PV installations with proper planning and maintenance.

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 Delta

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -19.936, Longitude: -47.8012 (Delta, 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 19° North in Delta, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Delta, Brazil (Lat/Long -19.936, -47.8012) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 19° 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 Delta, 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 Delta, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 19° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
4° North in Summer	26° North in Autumn	36° North in Winter	14° 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 Delta, 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 Delta, 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 Delta, Brazil

Topographical Features Around Delta, Brazil

The region surrounding Delta in Minas Gerais state is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the Brazilian Cerrado landscape. This area sits within the vast central plateau of Brazil, where elevations are moderate and the topography is generally favorable for development. The terrain consists primarily of undulating hills and broad valleys, with relatively gentle slopes that create natural drainage patterns flowing toward larger river systems. The landscape around Delta features expansive areas of relatively flat to gently sloping land, punctuated by low ridges and shallow depressions. These topographical characteristics are common throughout much of central Minas Gerais, where ancient geological formations have been worn down over millions of years to create a mature, stable landscape. The soil composition in this region is predominantly well-drained, consisting of older sedimentary and crystalline formations that provide solid foundation conditions. Water features in the area include seasonal streams and small rivers that follow the natural contours of the land. During the wet season, these waterways become more prominent, while in the dry season they may reduce to smaller flows or temporary pools. The drainage patterns generally flow in a northeasterly direction, following the regional slope toward larger tributaries of the São Francisco River system.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations around Delta would be the broad, gently sloping plateaus and mesa-like formations that characterize much of the surrounding landscape. These elevated areas offer several advantages including excellent exposure to solar radiation throughout the day, natural drainage that prevents water accumulation, and stable geological conditions for mounting structures. The southwestern and southern approaches to Delta present particularly promising terrain for solar development. These areas feature extensive stretches of relatively flat land with minimal vegetation coverage, reducing the need for extensive site preparation. The gentle southward-facing slopes in these areas would be especially beneficial for optimizing solar panel orientation and maximizing energy capture throughout the year. Areas with slight elevation advantages, such as the low ridges and plateau edges scattered throughout the region, would also be excellent candidates for solar installations. These locations benefit from enhanced air circulation that can help maintain optimal operating temperatures for solar panels, while their elevated position reduces the likelihood of fog or moisture accumulation that could impact performance. The terrain immediately north and east of Delta also shows strong potential, particularly where the landscape opens into broader valleys with minimal tree coverage. These areas combine the benefits of stable, well-drained soils with expansive open spaces that could accommodate large arrays without significant topographical obstacles. The relatively uniform elevation changes across these areas would simplify construction and maintenance access while providing consistent solar exposure conditions.

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.