Solar Energy Potential in Figueira, Paraná, Brazil

Figueira, Paraná, Brazil, located in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers promising conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences varying levels of solar energy production across different seasons, making it a generally favorable site for solar installations. The seasonal energy output shows a clear pattern with summer being the most productive period, generating approximately 6.98 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 6.10 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 5.38 kWh/day, while winter represents the annual low point with 4.43 kWh/day per kilowatt installed. This seasonal variation indicates that Figueira enjoys relatively consistent solar potential throughout the year, with the difference between the best and worst seasons being less dramatic than in locations further from the equator. Even during winter months, the site maintains reasonable production levels, which is beneficial for year-round energy planning.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Figueira, Paraná, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 21 degrees facing North. This specific angle has been calculated by analyzing the sun's position throughout the year and weighting the optimal daily angles by the potential solar energy available on those days. This moderate tilt angle reflects Figueira's subtropical location, where the sun passes overhead during summer months but remains relatively high in the sky even during winter. The northward orientation is essential since Figueira is in the Southern Hemisphere, requiring panels to face north to capture maximum sunlight.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Figueira:

• Seasonal rainfall patterns, particularly during the summer months, may temporarily reduce solar output despite this being the season with highest potential.
• Dust accumulation can be significant in rural Brazilian areas, potentially reducing panel efficiency by 5-15% if not regularly cleaned.
• High humidity levels common in subtropical regions can cause slight reductions in panel efficiency and accelerate degradation of electrical components if not properly protected.

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Figueira should incorporate regular cleaning schedules, especially before and after the rainy season. Using high-quality components with proper IP-rated enclosures will protect against humidity-related issues. Additionally, installing panels with a slightly steeper angle than the recommended 21 degrees might help with self-cleaning during rainfall, though this would come with a small trade-off in overall annual production. The relatively consistent solar radiation throughout the year makes Figueira suitable for solar PV without requiring extensive seasonal adjustments or backup systems, though having some form of energy storage would help balance the approximately 37% reduction in daily energy production from summer to winter.

Note: The Southern Sub Tropics extend from -23.5° latitude South down to -35° latitude.

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 Figueira

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -23.8585, Longitude: -50.4218 (Figueira, 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 21° North in Figueira, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Figueira, Brazil (Lat/Long -23.8585, -50.4218) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 21° 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 Figueira, 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 Figueira, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 21° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
8° North in Summer	30° North in Autumn	39° North in Winter	17° 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 Figueira, 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 Figueira, 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 Figueira, Brazil

The terrain surrounding Figueira in Paraná state, Brazil presents a varied topographical landscape characteristic of the transitional zone between the Atlantic Plateau and the Paraná River basin. Located at approximately 650 meters above sea level, Figueira sits within a region marked by gently rolling hills interspersed with more pronounced elevations. The area features moderately dissected terrain with slopes generally ranging from gentle to moderate, though some steeper sections can be found where local streams and rivers have carved more defined valleys. The region's topography has been shaped by the underlying geology of the Paraná Basin, with sedimentary rocks predominating. This geological foundation has resulted in a landscape characterized by undulating plateaus with occasional more rugged sections. The nearby Laranjinha River and its tributaries have further sculpted the terrain, creating a network of shallow valleys throughout the area.

Vegetation and Land Use

The natural vegetation around Figueira historically consisted primarily of subtropical forests, though much of this has been converted to agricultural use over decades of development. Today, the landscape presents a mosaic of farmland, pastures, and remnant forest patches, particularly along waterways and steeper slopes. This agricultural transformation has significantly altered the original topography in many areas through land clearing and terracing practices.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several topographical features make certain areas around Figueira particularly suitable. The gently sloping highlands to the east and northeast of Figueira offer excellent potential for solar development. These areas combine favorable elevation, minimal shadowing effects from surrounding terrain, and adequate drainage characteristics. The higher plateaus in these directions typically receive consistent solar radiation throughout the year due to their elevated and relatively unobstructed position. The northwestern sector, extending toward Sapopema, also presents promising topographical characteristics for solar installations. This area features extensive plateaus with gradual slopes predominantly facing north—an ideal orientation in the Southern Hemisphere for maximizing solar exposure. The relatively open landscape in this direction, with fewer steep ravines, would minimize construction challenges and reduce the need for extensive grading. Areas to potentially avoid include the more deeply incised valleys of the Laranjinha River system, particularly to the southwest, where morning and evening shadowing could significantly reduce generation potential. Similarly, the more steeply dissected terrain sections scattered throughout the region would present construction challenges and potentially create microclimatic effects that might reduce solar efficiency. The southeastern approach toward Curiúva contains a mix of suitable and challenging terrain, with some plateau sections offering good potential interrupted by more complex topography. Here, site-specific assessment would be necessary to identify the most appropriate parcels for development. From a purely topographical perspective, the most promising locations would be the higher elevation, gently sloping plateaus with northerly aspects, particularly those that have already been cleared for agricultural use, as these would minimize both environmental impact and development costs while maximizing potential solar gain.

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.