Solar PV Analysis of Icatu, Brazil
Icatu, Maranhão, Brazil represents an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation, with consistently high electricity output throughout all seasons. Located in the tropics at coordinates -2.5669, -43.8229, this area benefits from reliable sunlight patterns typical of equatorial regions where seasonal variations are primarily defined by wet and dry periods rather than dramatic temperature changes.
Solar Energy Performance
The solar energy production data for Icatu shows remarkably consistent performance across all meteorological seasons. Summer generates 5.64kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, while autumn produces a similar 5.61kWh per day per kW. Winter performance actually improves to 5.99kWh per day per kW, and spring delivers the highest output at 6.67kWh per day per kW.
This seasonal pattern indicates that spring represents the optimal time for solar generation at this location, followed by winter. The relatively small variation between seasons - ranging from 5.61kWh to 6.67kWh per kW - demonstrates the location's reliability for consistent solar energy production throughout the year.
Optimal Panel Configuration
For fixed panel installations at Icatu, Maranhão, the ideal tilt angle to maximise total year-round solar production is 3 degrees North. This shallow angle reflects the location's proximity to the equator, where panels perform best when positioned nearly flat to capture the sun's rays most effectively throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several local factors could potentially impact solar energy production in Icatu and require careful consideration during installation planning.
Tropical Weather Patterns: Being located in a tropical climate, Icatu experiences distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season brings heavy rainfall, high humidity, and increased cloud cover, which can temporarily reduce solar output. However, frequent rain also provides natural panel cleaning, removing dust and debris that might otherwise accumulate.
High Humidity and Corrosion: The consistently high humidity levels typical of tropical coastal regions can accelerate corrosion of metal components and electrical connections. This humid environment also promotes the growth of algae and moss on panel surfaces, potentially reducing efficiency over time.
Salt Air Exposure: Given Icatu's coastal location, salt-laden air can cause accelerated corrosion of mounting systems and electrical components, particularly affecting aluminium frames and steel structures.
Preventative Measures for Enhanced Performance
Several installation strategies can help maximise solar energy production while mitigating these environmental challenges:
- Marine-grade materials: Use corrosion-resistant materials such as marine-grade aluminium or stainless steel for mounting systems and choose panels with robust anti-corrosion coatings
- Enhanced drainage: Design mounting systems with excellent drainage capabilities to prevent water accumulation and ensure rapid drying after rainfall
- Regular maintenance scheduling: Implement frequent cleaning and inspection routines, particularly during dry seasons when dust accumulation is highest
- Protective coatings: Apply specialised protective coatings to electrical components and junction boxes to resist moisture and salt air penetration
- Elevated installations: Mount panels with adequate clearance from the ground to improve air circulation and reduce moisture retention
Despite these considerations, Icatu's tropical location offers significant advantages for solar energy generation. The consistent solar resource throughout the year, combined with proper installation techniques and regular maintenance, makes this an highly suitable location for solar PV systems with reliable energy output across all seasons.
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 Icatu
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -2.5669, Longitude: -43.8229 (Icatu, 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 3° North in Icatu, Brazil
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Icatu, Brazil (Lat/Long -2.5669, -43.8229) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 3° 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 Icatu, 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 Icatu, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 3° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14° South in Summer | 9° North in Autumn | 18° North in Winter | 3° 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 Icatu, 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 Icatu, Brazil.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Icatu, Brazil
Topographical Features of the Icatu Region
The area around Icatu in Maranhão state, Brazil, is characterized by relatively flat coastal plains that extend inland from the Atlantic Ocean. This region sits within the broader Maranhão lowlands, where elevations rarely exceed 100 meters above sea level. The landscape consists primarily of gentle undulating terrain with occasional low hills and shallow valleys carved by seasonal waterways.
The immediate vicinity of Icatu features expansive areas of cleared agricultural land interspersed with patches of cerrado vegetation and gallery forests along watercourses. The terrain slopes very gradually from the slightly elevated interior areas toward the coast, creating natural drainage patterns that flow northward toward the Atlantic. The soil composition varies from sandy loams in higher areas to clay-rich deposits in lower-lying sections near water bodies.
Several small rivers and streams traverse the region, including tributaries that eventually connect to larger waterways flowing toward the coast. These water features create narrow corridors of denser vegetation while leaving substantial open areas between them. The landscape also includes scattered wetland areas that become more pronounced during the rainy season.
Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development
The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations would be the elevated plateau areas located approximately 15 to 30 kilometers southeast and southwest of Icatu. These areas offer several advantages including stable, well-drained soils that minimize foundation challenges and reduce the risk of seasonal flooding. The gentle slopes in these zones provide natural drainage while maintaining relatively flat surfaces ideal for solar panel arrays.
The cleared agricultural lands on the higher elevations present particularly attractive opportunities, as they combine suitable topography with existing access infrastructure. These areas typically feature firm, stable ground conditions and are already connected to regional road networks, reducing development costs. The terrain in these locations exhibits minimal variation in elevation across large areas, allowing for efficient panel placement and maintenance access.
Areas to the west and southwest of Icatu show especially promising characteristics, where the landscape transitions from the immediate coastal influence to slightly higher inland plains. These zones benefit from consistent wind patterns that help with panel cooling while avoiding the more variable microclimates found closer to wetland areas. The terrain here supports heavy equipment access and provides adequate space for the electrical infrastructure required for large-scale solar facilities.
The regions with the best development potential are those situated away from the primary watercourses and seasonal wetlands, typically found on the interfluves between major drainage lines. These elevated areas between water features offer the most stable ground conditions and present fewer environmental constraints while maintaining proximity to existing transportation corridors and electrical transmission infrastructure.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 19th of July 2025
Last Updated: Thursday 7th of August 2025
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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.
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