Formoso do Araguaia, Brazil represents an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation, with consistently strong performance across all seasons. Located in the tropical region at coordinates -12.1272, -50.0456, this area benefits from reliable sunlight throughout the year, with seasonal variations driven more by wet and dry periods than traditional temperature-based seasons.

Solar Energy Performance Throughout the Year

The solar energy output at this location shows impressive consistency, with winter months actually delivering the highest performance at 6.36 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely with 6.23 kWh/day, while autumn produces 5.95 kWh/day. Summer shows the lowest output at 5.52 kWh/day, though this figure still represents strong solar generation potential. This pattern is typical for tropical locations, where the sun's angle during winter months can actually be more favorable for solar panels, while summer may bring increased cloud cover or atmospheric moisture that slightly reduces solar irradiance.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations at Formoso do Araguaia, the ideal tilt angle is 13 degrees facing north to maximize total year-round solar production. This relatively shallow angle reflects the location's proximity to the equator, where the sun travels high overhead throughout most of the year.

Environmental and Weather Factors

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

• Seasonal rainfall patterns: The wet season typically brings increased cloud cover and atmospheric humidity, which can reduce solar irradiance reaching the panels
• Dust and debris accumulation: The dry season may lead to dust buildup on panel surfaces, reducing efficiency
• High humidity levels: Tropical humidity can affect electrical components and create condensation issues
• Intense UV exposure: Strong tropical sunlight may accelerate degradation of panel materials over time

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be considered: Regular cleaning schedules become essential, particularly during dry seasons when dust accumulation is most problematic. Installing panels with adequate ventilation underneath helps manage heat buildup and humidity-related issues. Using high-quality mounting systems with corrosion-resistant materials is crucial in this humid tropical environment. Selecting solar panels with robust anti-reflective coatings and UV-resistant materials will help maintain long-term performance under intense tropical sunlight. Additionally, ensuring proper drainage around installation sites prevents water accumulation during heavy rains that characterize the wet season. Installing monitoring systems allows for early detection of performance issues, enabling prompt maintenance responses. During the wet season, more frequent inspections may be necessary to address any moisture-related concerns with electrical connections and components. Despite these considerations, the consistently strong solar output figures throughout all seasons demonstrate that Formoso do Araguaia offers excellent conditions for solar energy generation, making it a highly suitable location for both residential and commercial solar installations.

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 Formoso Do Araguaia

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -12.1272, Longitude: -50.0456 (Formoso Do Araguaia, 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 13° North in Formoso Do Araguaia, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Formoso Do Araguaia, Brazil (Lat/Long -12.1272, -50.0456) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 13° 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 Formoso Do Araguaia, 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 Formoso Do Araguaia, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 13° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
4° South in Summer	19° 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 Formoso Do Araguaia, 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 Formoso Do Araguaia, 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 Formoso Do Araguaia, Brazil

Topographical Features of Formoso do Araguaia

Formoso do Araguaia sits within the vast Cerrado savanna region of central Brazil, characterized by relatively flat terrain with gentle undulations across the landscape. The area lies within the Araguaia River basin, where the topography consists primarily of broad plains and subtle rolling hills that rarely exceed modest elevations. The region features extensive grasslands interspersed with scattered woodland areas typical of the Cerrado biome. The terrain around Formoso do Araguaia is predominantly flat to gently sloping, with elevation changes that are generally gradual rather than dramatic. This characteristic makes the area part of the Brazilian Central Plateau, where the landscape has been shaped by centuries of erosion that has created smooth, undulating surfaces. The Araguaia River and its tributaries have carved shallow valleys through the region, creating a network of waterways that flow through relatively low-lying areas surrounded by slightly elevated plains. Seasonal flooding occurs in some lower-lying areas near the river systems, particularly during the wet season when the Araguaia and its tributaries swell beyond their normal banks. These flood-prone zones create distinct wetland areas that contrast with the higher, well-drained savanna lands that dominate the regional landscape.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The elevated savanna areas away from the immediate river corridors present the most suitable conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These higher plains offer several advantages including stable, well-drained ground that remains above seasonal flood levels. The gentle slopes in these areas provide natural drainage while maintaining relatively flat surfaces that minimize the need for extensive site preparation and grading. Areas located several kilometers inland from the Araguaia River and its major tributaries would be particularly well-suited for solar development. These zones combine the benefits of stable terrain with reduced risk of flooding, while the open savanna landscape provides unobstructed access to solar radiation throughout the day. The sparse vegetation in many of these areas also reduces land clearing requirements compared to more densely forested regions. The northern and eastern approaches to Formoso do Araguaia feature particularly favorable topographical conditions, where the terrain rises gradually away from the river systems onto stable plateau areas. These locations offer the dual benefits of suitable ground conditions and proximity to existing infrastructure, including roads and transmission corridors that could support large-scale solar installations. Sites positioned on the gentle ridges and elevated plains that characterize much of the surrounding landscape would provide optimal conditions for solar panel arrays. The natural drainage provided by these subtle elevation changes helps prevent water accumulation during the rainy season, while the stable geological conditions beneath these areas support the long-term infrastructure requirements of utility-scale solar facilities.

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.