Solar PV Analysis of Dourados, Brazil
Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil is a great spot for solar energy production all year round because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is plentiful. The amount of electricity you can expect to get from each kilowatt of installed solar varies by season, with summer and spring being the best times for generating power. In summer, you can expect about 7.04 kilowatt-hours per day from each kilowatt of installed solar, 6.31 in spring, 5.56 in autumn and 4.42 in winter.
To get the most out of your solar panels year-round at this location, they should be tilted at an angle of 20 degrees facing North.
As far as environmental or other local factors that might affect solar production here - there isn't much to worry about because Dourados has relatively flat terrain which is perfect for installing large-scale solar panels without much preparation work needed. The area is part of the Parana Plateau with an average altitude of 430 meters above sea level and fertile soil due to its location in one of the world's major agricultural regions.
However, like any other place, weather conditions such as heavy rainfall during wet seasons could potentially impact energy production by blocking sunlight or causing dirt accumulation on panels which reduces their efficiency over time. To prevent this from happening too often and ensure greater energy output from your installation throughout the year regardless these factors; regular cleaning/maintenance should be performed on your panels especially after heavy rainfalls.
If you're considering a large-scale installation around Dourados area; open fields or unused lands near highways like BR-163 and BR-376 would be ideal locations due to easier access to infrastructure.
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 Dourados
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -22.1437, Longitude: -54.8047 (Dourados, 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 20° North in Dourados, Brazil
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dourados, Brazil (Lat/Long -22.1437, -54.8047) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 20° 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 Dourados, 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 Dourados, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 20° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6° North in Summer | 28° North in Autumn | 37° North in Winter | 15° 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 Dourados, 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 Dourados, Brazil.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Dourados, Brazil
Dourados, Brazil is located in the Southwestern part of Mato Grosso do Sul state. The region is characterized by a relatively flat topography with gentle slopes. It's part of the Parana Plateau, which has an average altitude of 430 meters above sea level. The land predominantly consists of fertile soil due to its location in the Cerrado biome, one of the world's most important agricultural regions.
The climate in Dourados is tropical savanna with a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year, even during its driest months. However, it also receives ample sunshine which makes it suitable for solar PV installations.
Considering large-scale solar PV installation, areas with flat or gently sloping terrains would be ideal as they would require less site preparation work and can accommodate more panels per unit area. Areas that are not heavily forested or used for agriculture would also be beneficial to avoid deforestation or disruption to food production.
Moreover, proximity to transmission lines and infrastructure should also be considered for ease of connecting the solar farm to the grid and minimizing transmission losses.
Given these factors, potential areas around Dourados could include open fields or unused lands near highways like BR-163 and BR-376 where access to infrastructure might be easier. However, detailed feasibility studies considering all physical and socio-economic factors should ideally be carried out before deciding on specific locations.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 3rd of February 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
