Ilha das Flores, Brazil presents a favorable location for year-round solar energy generation. Located in the tropics at coordinates -10.4474, -36.5672, this region benefits from consistent sunlight throughout most of the year, with seasonal variations typically characterized by wet and dry periods rather than traditional temperature-based seasons.

Solar Energy Output Performance

The solar energy production potential at Ilha das Flores shows strong performance across all seasons, with some notable variations. Spring delivers the highest output at 7.23 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, closely followed by summer at 7.06 kWh per day per kW. These represent the peak production periods when solar installations will generate maximum electricity. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 6.07 kWh per day per kW, while winter shows the lowest production at 5.37 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity. Despite this seasonal variation, even the lowest production period in winter still provides substantial energy generation, making this location viable for consistent year-round solar power production. For optimal performance, fixed solar panel installations at this location should be tilted at 9 degrees toward the north. This angle maximizes total annual energy production by accounting for the sun's path throughout the year and the site's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar energy production at Ilha das Flores. The tropical climate brings high humidity levels, which can reduce solar panel efficiency and accelerate corrosion of metal components. Salt air from the coastal environment poses additional corrosion risks to mounting systems and electrical connections. The region's wet season typically brings increased cloud cover, heavy rainfall, and potential for severe weather events including tropical storms. Dust and debris accumulation during dry periods can also reduce panel efficiency by blocking sunlight from reaching the photovoltaic cells.

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar energy production despite these challenges:

• Use marine-grade aluminum or stainless steel mounting systems with protective coatings to resist salt corrosion
• Install panels with adequate ventilation spacing to reduce heat buildup in high humidity conditions
• Choose solar panels with anti-reflective and self-cleaning glass coatings to minimize dust accumulation
• Design mounting systems to withstand high wind loads typical of tropical storm conditions
• Implement regular cleaning schedules during dry seasons to remove dust and debris

Proper electrical protection through sealed junction boxes, marine-grade wiring, and appropriate grounding systems will help ensure long-term reliability in this coastal tropical environment. Regular maintenance and monitoring will help identify and address any weather-related performance issues quickly.

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 Ilha Das Flores

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -10.4474, Longitude: -36.5672 (Ilha Das Flores, 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 9° North in Ilha Das Flores, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ilha Das Flores, Brazil (Lat/Long -10.4474, -36.5672) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 9° 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 Ilha Das Flores, 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 Ilha Das Flores, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 9° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
5° South in Summer	16° North in Autumn	26° North in Winter	4° 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 Ilha Das Flores, 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 Ilha Das Flores, 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 Ilha Das Flores, Brazil

Topographical Features of Ilha das Flores Region

Ilha das Flores sits along the southeastern coast of Sergipe state in Brazil, positioned where the São Francisco River meets the Atlantic Ocean. This small island municipality occupies a relatively flat coastal plain characterized by low-lying terrain that rarely exceeds 50 meters above sea level. The landscape consists primarily of sandy soils and coastal sediments, with gentle undulations rather than significant elevation changes.

The surrounding region features typical northeastern Brazilian coastal topography, with extensive flat to gently rolling plains stretching inland from the shoreline. These plains are punctuated by occasional low hills and ridges, but the overall terrain remains remarkably level across large areas. The São Francisco River delta creates additional flat alluvial plains to the north and west of the island, while sandy coastal lowlands extend southward along the Atlantic shoreline.

Vegetation in the area consists mainly of coastal restinga scrubland and patches of Atlantic Forest remnants, with mangrove systems along the river channels and tidal areas. The relatively sparse vegetation cover and open landscape provide excellent exposure conditions across much of the region.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The extensive flat coastal plains stretching inland from Ilha das Flores present ideal conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These areas offer several key advantages including minimal grading requirements, excellent solar exposure due to the open landscape, and sufficient space for expansive solar arrays. The sandy soils, while requiring appropriate foundation design, allow for relatively straightforward construction processes.

The most promising locations lie on the mainland coastal plains within 10-20 kilometers of Ilha das Flores, particularly in areas that remain elevated enough to avoid seasonal flooding concerns. These zones benefit from consistent exposure throughout the day without significant topographical shading, while maintaining reasonable proximity to existing electrical infrastructure along the coastal corridor.

Areas to the southwest of Ilha das Flores, moving inland from the immediate coastal zone, offer particularly attractive characteristics for solar development. This region features stable, well-drained terrain with minimal vegetation coverage and excellent accessibility via existing road networks. The gentle inland slopes provide natural drainage while maintaining the flat profiles essential for cost-effective solar installation.

The northern plains near the São Francisco River delta also present viable options, though careful site selection becomes important to avoid flood-prone areas and wetland zones. These locations benefit from the same favorable topographical conditions while potentially offering access to river-based transportation for construction materials and equipment.

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.