Entre Rios, Bahia, Brazil, located at latitude -12.0697 and longitude -38.0299 in the tropics, offers a generally favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The tropical location provides relatively consistent sunlight patterns compared to locations at higher latitudes, though with some seasonal variations.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy output at this location shows moderate seasonal fluctuation. Summer stands out as the most productive season with 6.19kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind at 5.98kWh/day, with autumn generating 5.59kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest production at 4.53kWh/day per kW installed, but still maintains reasonable output.

The difference between the highest producing season (summer) and lowest (winter) is approximately 27%, indicating a relatively stable year-round production profile compared to locations in more extreme latitudes where winter production can drop by 50-70%.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Entre Rios, Bahia, the ideal angle to maximize year-round energy production is 11 degrees facing North. This slight tilt helps optimize exposure to the sun's path throughout the year, accounting for the location's position in the southern hemisphere and the earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially affect solar production at this location:

• Tropical rainfall patterns may reduce production during the wet season, with heavy cloud cover limiting available sunlight for days at a time.
• High humidity levels can cause a slight reduction in panel efficiency and accelerate potential corrosion of mounting hardware.
• Dust accumulation during dry seasons can gradually reduce panel efficiency if not addressed.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production in Entre Rios, Bahia, several practical measures should be considered:

• Install corrosion-resistant mounting hardware and waterproof junction boxes designed for tropical environments.
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule, particularly during dry seasons when dust accumulation is highest.
• Consider slightly oversizing the system to compensate for reduced production during the rainy season.
• Use microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading from passing clouds.
• Ensure adequate ventilation behind panels to reduce heat-related efficiency losses, as tropical temperatures can be consistently high.

With these considerations addressed, a solar PV system in Entre Rios can provide reliable electricity generation throughout the year, with particularly strong performance during summer and spring months.

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 Entre Rios

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -12.0697, Longitude: -38.0299 (Entre Rios, 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 11° North in Entre Rios, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Entre Rios, Brazil (Lat/Long -12.0697, -38.0299) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 11° 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 Entre Rios, 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 Entre Rios, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 11° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
3° South in Summer	18° North in Autumn	28° North in Winter	6° 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 Entre Rios, 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 Entre Rios, 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 Entre Rios, Brazil

Entre Rios is located in the northeastern state of Bahia, Brazil, approximately 142 kilometers north of Salvador, the state capital. The topography of this region is characterized by gently rolling hills and plateaus, typical of the transition zone between the coastal plains and the higher interior regions of northeastern Brazil. The landscape around Entre Rios features moderately undulating terrain with elevations generally ranging between 150 to 300 meters above sea level. This area is part of the broader geomorphological unit known as the "Tabuleiros Costeiros" (Coastal Tablelands), which consists of flat-topped plateaus dissected by river valleys. These tablelands are composed primarily of sedimentary deposits, creating a relatively stable geological foundation.

Hydrography and Vegetation

The region is crossed by several rivers, including the Subaúma and Inhambupe rivers, which have shaped the local topography through erosion processes, creating valleys that break up the otherwise relatively flat terrain. The natural vegetation in this area is a transition between Atlantic Forest and Caatinga (dry shrubland), though much of the original vegetation has been modified by agricultural activities, primarily cattle ranching and cultivation of crops such as coconut, rubber, and various fruits.

Climate Considerations

The climate in Entre Rios is tropical with a dry season, classified as "Aw" in the Köppen climate classification. The region receives abundant solar radiation throughout the year, making it potentially suitable for solar energy generation. Seasonal variations in rainfall do occur, with a more pronounced dry period typically extending from September to February.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the most suitable areas near Entre Rios would be the higher, flatter portions of the tablelands (tabuleiros) that feature minimal slope angles. These areas offer several advantages: The elevated plateaus to the west and northwest of Entre Rios present particularly favorable conditions, as they combine relatively flat topography with good drainage characteristics. These plateaus typically have slopes of less than 5 degrees, which is ideal for the installation of solar panel arrays without requiring extensive terrain modification. Areas that have already been cleared for agriculture, particularly cattle pastures, represent opportunities for solar development with minimal additional environmental impact. These locations often have good road access, which facilitates construction and maintenance of solar facilities. The tablelands between Entre Rios and neighboring municipalities such as Alagoinhas and Esplanada also offer promising sites due to their stable soil conditions and reduced risk of flooding compared to lowland areas closer to river courses.

Topographical Challenges

While the region offers good potential for solar development, certain topographical features present challenges that would need to be addressed. The more dissected portions of the landscape, particularly near river valleys, have steeper slopes that would require more extensive grading and could lead to increased erosion risks during construction. Additionally, some areas with ideal topographical characteristics may have competing land uses, particularly agricultural activities that contribute significantly to the local economy. Balancing solar development with these existing land uses represents an important planning consideration. The coastal proximity also means that some eastern areas experience more frequent cloud cover compared to inland locations, which could marginally affect solar generation efficiency despite the overall favorable solar resource in the region.

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.