Solar Energy Potential in Itabaiana, Sergipe, Brazil

Itabaiana, Sergipe, Brazil, located at latitude -10.6858 and longitude -37.4265, offers promising conditions for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from relatively consistent sunlight patterns, with seasonal variations defined more by wet and dry periods than by significant changes in daylight duration. The solar energy production potential in Itabaiana demonstrates interesting seasonal patterns. During spring, the location achieves its peak performance with an impressive 6.68 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely with 6.25 kWh/day, while autumn sees a moderate decrease to 5.50 kWh/day. Winter represents the lowest production period with 4.81 kWh/day, though this output remains substantial compared to many non-tropical locations.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed solar panel installations in Itabaiana, Sergipe, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 9 degrees facing North. This specific angle has been calculated to capture the optimal amount of solar radiation throughout the year, accounting for the location's proximity to the equator and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Itabaiana:

• Seasonal rainfall: The region experiences a distinct wet season which can reduce solar output due to cloud cover. Installing panels with high efficiency in diffuse light conditions can help mitigate this issue.
• Dust accumulation: The semi-arid conditions in parts of northeastern Brazil can lead to dust buildup on panels. Regular cleaning schedules and possibly automated cleaning systems are recommended.
• High temperatures: While sunlight is abundant, excessive heat can actually reduce solar panel efficiency. Ensuring adequate airflow beneath the panels and using temperature-resistant models can help maintain optimal performance.

Maximizing Solar Potential

To optimize solar energy production in Itabaiana, Sergipe, installation should prioritize unobstructed south-facing areas with the recommended 9-degree tilt. The spring and summer months (September through March) represent the prime production period, making this an ideal time for any maintenance activities to ensure systems are operating at peak efficiency. The relatively small seasonal variation in solar production (with winter still producing over 4.8 kWh/day) makes Itabaiana a favorable location for year-round solar energy harvesting, with minimal need for supplementary energy sources during any particular season.

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 Itabaiana

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -10.6858, Longitude: -37.4265 (Itabaiana, 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 Itabaiana, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Itabaiana, Brazil (Lat/Long -10.6858, -37.4265) 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 Itabaiana, 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 Itabaiana, 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 Itabaiana, 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 Itabaiana, 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 Itabaiana, Brazil

The terrain surrounding Itabaiana in the Brazilian state of Sergipe presents a diverse topographical profile that transitions between coastal lowlands and interior highlands. Itabaiana sits at the eastern edge of the Borborema Plateau, creating a distinctive landscape where flat plains meet rolling hills and small mountains. The city itself is nestled at the foot of Serra de Itabaiana, a prominent mountain that rises to approximately 670 meters above sea level, standing as a notable landmark in an otherwise relatively flat region.

Topographical Features

The immediate area around Itabaiana features a mix of gently rolling hills and flat plains. Moving eastward toward the Atlantic coast, the landscape gradually flattens into coastal plains, while to the west, the terrain becomes more rugged as it ascends into the Borborema Plateau. The Serra de Itabaiana National Park, located near the city, showcases this topographical transition with its distinctive rock formations, valleys, and plateaus. The region experiences a semi-arid to tropical climate, with the topography influencing local weather patterns. The higher elevations of Serra de Itabaiana capture more rainfall than the surrounding lowlands, creating microclimates within short distances. This mountain also serves as a natural divider between the more humid coastal zone and the drier interior. Numerous small rivers and streams cut through the landscape, including the Jacarecica River, which flows through the municipality. These waterways have carved shallow valleys throughout the region, contributing to the undulating nature of the terrain in certain areas.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the areas west and northwest of Itabaiana offer particularly favorable conditions. These regions feature extensive flat to gently sloping terrain that would minimize grading costs during construction while maximizing exposure to solar radiation. The semi-arid climate in these areas results in reduced cloud cover compared to the more humid coastal regions to the east. The plains extending toward the municipalities of Campo do Brito and Macambira present excellent opportunities for solar development due to their relatively consistent elevation, good drainage characteristics, and minimal shading concerns. These areas also tend to have less intensive agricultural use than the more fertile valleys, potentially reducing land-use conflicts. Areas to avoid would include the immediate surroundings of Serra de Itabaiana due to increased shading, higher precipitation, and protected environmental status. Similarly, the more densely populated urban zones and river valleys with their higher humidity and potential for morning fog would be less optimal for solar energy production. The northeastern sectors toward Moita Bonita also present viable options, featuring extensive plateaus with minimal vegetation obstruction. These areas benefit from good road access for construction and maintenance while maintaining sufficient distance from dense residential developments. Land in the southwestern direction, extending toward Lagarto, combines favorable topography with appropriate soil conditions that would support the structural requirements of solar panel mounting systems without excessive preparation costs.

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.