Godofredo Viana, Maranhão, Brazil presents an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation through photovoltaic panels. Located in the tropical region at coordinates -1.2696, -45.7646, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout the year, with seasons characterized primarily by wet and dry periods rather than dramatic temperature variations.

Solar Energy Production Potential

The solar energy output data for Godofredo Viana shows remarkably strong performance across all seasons. Spring emerges as the most productive period, generating 6.54 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Winter follows closely with 5.89 kWh/day per kW, while summer produces 5.66 kWh/day per kW, and autumn generates 5.22 kWh/day per kW. This consistent high output throughout the year makes Godofredo Viana an ideal location for solar installations. The variation between the highest and lowest producing seasons is relatively modest, ensuring reliable energy generation regardless of the time of year.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at this location, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 1 degree North. This nearly flat configuration takes advantage of the location's proximity to the equator, where the sun passes almost directly overhead throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors could potentially impact solar energy production in Godofredo Viana, Maranhão, though the location remains highly favorable overall:

• Heavy rainfall during wet season: Tropical regions experience intense rainfall periods that can reduce solar irradiance and create water accumulation on panels
• High humidity levels: Persistent moisture in the air can affect panel efficiency and create condensation issues
• Dust and debris accumulation: During dry periods, dust buildup on panels can significantly reduce energy output
• Vegetation growth: The tropical climate promotes rapid plant growth that could create shading issues if not properly managed

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar energy production despite these environmental challenges: Regular cleaning systems prove essential in this climate. Installing automated cleaning mechanisms or establishing frequent manual cleaning schedules helps remove dust, debris, and water spots that accumulate on panel surfaces. The nearly flat 1-degree tilt angle, while optimal for sun exposure, may require more frequent cleaning since panels won't naturally shed debris as effectively as steeper installations. Proper drainage design prevents water pooling around solar installations during heavy rains. Installing panels with adequate spacing and ensuring proper ground drainage helps avoid water-related damage and maintains accessibility for maintenance. Strategic vegetation management around solar installations prevents shading issues. Regular trimming of nearby trees and bushes ensures that rapidly growing tropical plants don't interfere with solar collection. Planning installation sites with future plant growth in mind helps avoid costly relocations later. Quality mounting systems designed for tropical conditions resist corrosion from high humidity and can withstand intense rainfall. Using materials specifically rated for tropical marine environments extends system lifespan and maintains structural integrity. With proper planning and maintenance, Godofredo Viana's tropical location offers exceptional potential for solar energy generation, with the main seasonal variation showing spring as the peak production period and autumn as the lowest, though even the lowest season still provides excellent energy output.

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 Godofredo Viana

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -1.2696, Longitude: -45.7646 (Godofredo Viana, 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 1° North in Godofredo Viana, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Godofredo Viana, Brazil (Lat/Long -1.2696, -45.7646) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 1° 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 Godofredo Viana, 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 Godofredo Viana, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 1° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
15° South in Summer	8° North in Autumn	17° North in Winter	5° South 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 Godofredo Viana, 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 Godofredo Viana, 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 Godofredo Viana, Brazil

Topographical Features of the Godofredo Viana Region

Godofredo Viana is located in the state of Maranhão in northeastern Brazil, positioned within a predominantly flat to gently undulating landscape characteristic of the northern Brazilian coastal plains. The terrain around this municipality consists primarily of low-lying areas with minimal elevation changes, creating an expansive and relatively uniform topographical profile that extends across much of the surrounding region.

The landscape is dominated by vast stretches of flat terrain interspersed with gentle rolling hills that rarely exceed modest elevations. This area forms part of the broader coastal lowlands that characterize much of Maranhão's geography, where the transition from the Atlantic coastal zone gradually gives way to the interior plains. The topography shows little dramatic variation, with most of the surrounding countryside maintaining consistent elevation levels that create an open, accessible environment.

Water features play a significant role in shaping the local landscape, with several rivers and streams creating shallow valleys and depressions throughout the region. These waterways have carved gentle channels through the terrain over time, but without creating steep-sided valleys or dramatic elevation changes that would significantly alter the overall flat character of the area.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The topographical characteristics around Godofredo Viana present excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The extensive flat and gently rolling terrain provides ideal conditions for solar farm development, as these areas require minimal grading and earthwork to prepare suitable installation sites. The consistent elevation levels eliminate many of the challenges associated with steep slopes or irregular terrain that can complicate solar panel placement and maintenance access.

The most promising locations for solar development lie in the broad flat areas extending to the south and southeast of Godofredo Viana, where the terrain remains consistently level across large expanses. These areas offer the advantage of unobstructed sight lines and minimal shading concerns from topographical features, allowing for optimal panel orientation and spacing. The gentle nature of the landscape also facilitates the construction of access roads and maintenance infrastructure necessary for large-scale solar operations.

Areas with slight southern-facing slopes, where they exist in the gently undulating portions of the landscape, could provide marginal advantages for solar panel positioning. However, the predominantly flat nature of the terrain means that panel tilt can be easily optimized through mounting systems rather than relying on natural slope orientation.

The regions immediately adjacent to existing transportation infrastructure would be particularly well-suited for development, as the flat topography allows for straightforward connection to the electrical grid and facilitates the movement of equipment during construction and maintenance phases. The open nature of the landscape also provides flexibility in project sizing, allowing developers to scale installations according to available land and grid capacity rather than being constrained by topographical limitations.

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.