Solar Energy Potential in Formosa, Goiás, Brazil

Formosa, Goiás, Brazil, located at coordinates -15.5375, -47.3425, offers excellent conditions for solar energy production throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight patterns that make it highly suitable for photovoltaic (PV) installations. The seasonal solar production data shows remarkably stable energy generation across all seasons. In Spring, panels produce their highest output at 6.25 kWh per day for each kilowatt installed. Summer follows closely with 6.19 kWh/day, while Winter yields 5.98 kWh/day and Autumn provides 5.94 kWh/day per installed kilowatt. This minimal seasonal variation—only about 5% difference between the highest and lowest producing seasons—is exceptional compared to locations further from the equator. The consistency means solar installations in Formosa can provide reliable power year-round without significant seasonal drops in production.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Formosa, Goiás, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 15 degrees facing North. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's position south of the equator.

Environmental Considerations

Despite the favorable solar conditions, several environmental factors should be considered when installing solar systems in Formosa:

• The region experiences distinct wet and dry seasons, with heavy rainfall during the wet months that can temporarily reduce solar efficiency due to cloud cover
• Dust accumulation during the dry season can decrease panel efficiency by 5-15% if not regularly cleaned
• High temperatures in tropical regions can slightly reduce PV panel efficiency, as most panels lose efficiency above 25°C

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production in Formosa, Goiás, several preventative measures should be implemented:

• Install panels with self-cleaning technologies or implement regular cleaning schedules, especially during the dry season
• Use elevated mounting systems with adequate airflow beneath panels to mitigate efficiency losses from high temperatures
• Select PV panels with good high-temperature performance ratings, specifically designed for tropical climates
• Consider installing slightly more capacity than needed to ensure sufficient power during the marginally lower-producing autumn months

Overall, Formosa represents a near-ideal location for solar PV installations, with its consistent year-round production and minimal seasonal variation providing excellent conditions for reliable renewable energy generation.

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 Formosa

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -15.5375, Longitude: -47.3425 (Formosa, 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 15° North in Formosa, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Formosa, Brazil (Lat/Long -15.5375, -47.3425) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 15° 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 Formosa, 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 Formosa, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 15° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
0° in Summer	22° North in Autumn	31° North in Winter	10° 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 Formosa, 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 Formosa, 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 Formosa, Brazil

The region surrounding Formosa, Brazil, located in the state of Goiás, features a diverse topographical landscape characteristic of Brazil's central highlands. Situated on the edge of the vast Brazilian Plateau (Planalto Central), this area exhibits a combination of gently rolling hills, flat tablelands, and occasional more pronounced elevations that create a varied terrain. Formosa itself sits at an elevation of approximately 900 meters above sea level, placing it in the higher portions of Brazil's interior. The surrounding landscape is marked by the transition between the Cerrado biome's typical features and the more pronounced relief of the Planalto Central. This transition creates a mosaic of terrain types, with some areas featuring open, relatively flat expanses while others display more undulating contours.

Notable Topographical Features

One of the defining topographical features near Formosa is the presence of chapadas - distinctive flat-topped plateaus that rise abruptly from the surrounding terrain. These formations create natural terraces across the landscape, with steep escarpments on their edges and remarkably flat surfaces on top. The Chapada dos Veadeiros, though not immediately adjacent to Formosa, represents one of the more famous examples of this landform in the broader region. Water features also influence the local topography. The area contains the headwaters of several important Brazilian river systems, including tributaries that feed into the Paraná and São Francisco river basins. These waterways have carved shallow valleys throughout the region, creating a network of gentle depressions between the higher plateaus and hills.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development, several areas around Formosa present particularly favorable conditions based on their topographical characteristics. The flat-topped chapadas represent perhaps the most promising locations for extensive solar installations. These natural plateaus offer large, uninterrupted expanses of relatively level terrain, minimizing the need for costly land preparation. Their elevated positions also typically ensure excellent exposure to sunlight throughout the day with minimal shadowing effects from surrounding terrain features. The gently rolling plains that extend to the east and northeast of Formosa also present attractive options for solar development. These areas combine favorable topography with good solar exposure conditions. The modest undulations in the terrain generally do not pose significant challenges for installation, while still providing adequate drainage during the rainy season. Areas to potentially avoid would include the more deeply incised river valleys and the steeper escarpments leading up to the chapadas. These locations present challenges in terms of installation logistics, potential shadowing during portions of the day, and in some cases, increased vulnerability to erosion during seasonal heavy rainfall. The northwestern sector beyond Formosa offers particularly promising conditions, with extensive areas of open, gently sloping terrain that receives consistent solar exposure. These areas benefit from the region's characteristic clear skies during much of the year while featuring topography that simplifies construction and maintenance of large-scale installations. Overall, the topographical diversity around Formosa provides numerous options for solar PV development, with the chapadas and gentler plains offering the most immediately suitable conditions for large-scale implementation.

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.