Ivinhema, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil represents a highly favorable location for year-round solar PV energy generation, with its tropical climate providing consistent sunlight throughout most of the year where seasons are typically characterized by wet and dry periods rather than temperature variations.

Solar Energy Production Performance

The solar energy output data for this location demonstrates strong year-round potential, though with notable seasonal variation. Summer delivers the highest production at 7.04kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it the peak generation period. Spring follows as the second-best season with 6.29kWh/day per kW, while autumn produces 5.63kWh/day per kW. Winter shows the lowest output at 4.41kWh/day per kW, but this still represents reasonable production levels compared to many other global locations. For optimal year-round energy capture, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 20-degree tilt angle facing north. This angle maximizes total annual production by accounting for the sun's path throughout the year and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several environmental factors in the Ivinhema region could potentially impact solar energy production and require careful consideration during installation planning. The tropical climate brings significant rainfall during wet seasons, which can reduce solar irradiance when heavy cloud cover persists. Additionally, high humidity levels common in tropical regions can lead to faster degradation of solar equipment and reduced efficiency over time. Dust accumulation presents another challenge, particularly during drier periods when fine particles can settle on panel surfaces and block sunlight. The warm, humid environment also creates ideal conditions for vegetation growth, which could potentially shade panels if not properly managed.

Preventative Measures and Installation Strategies

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several preventative measures should be implemented:

• Install panels with adequate spacing and ventilation to prevent overheating and allow air circulation in the humid climate
• Use high-quality, corrosion-resistant mounting systems designed for tropical environments
• Implement regular cleaning schedules to remove dust and debris, particularly during dry seasons
• Ensure proper drainage around installations to prevent water pooling during heavy rains
• Maintain clear vegetation management around solar arrays to prevent shading

Selecting solar panels and inverters with appropriate IP ratings for moisture protection will help ensure longevity and consistent performance. Regular maintenance and monitoring systems can help identify and address any weather-related issues before they significantly impact energy production. Despite these considerations, Ivinhema's consistent tropical sunlight and reasonable year-round production levels make it a viable location for solar PV installations when proper planning and maintenance practices are followed.

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 Ivinhema

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -22.3808, Longitude: -53.7556 (Ivinhema, 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 20° North in Ivinhema, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ivinhema, Brazil (Lat/Long -22.3808, -53.7556) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 20° 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 Ivinhema, 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 Ivinhema, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 20° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
6° North in Summer	28° North in Autumn	38° North in Winter	15° 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 Ivinhema, 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 Ivinhema, 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 Ivinhema, Brazil

Topography Around Ivinhema

Ivinhema sits in the southern region of Mato Grosso do Sul state, positioned within the expansive Pantanal wetland system and the transition zone toward the Atlantic Forest biome. The topography surrounding this municipality is characterized by predominantly flat to gently rolling terrain, with elevations ranging from approximately 300 to 500 meters above sea level. The landscape consists primarily of vast plains interspersed with low hills and subtle undulations that create a relatively uniform topographical profile across the region.

The area features extensive floodplains associated with the Ivinhema River system, which flows northward to join the Paraná River. These floodplains create seasonal wetlands during the rainy months, while the slightly elevated areas remain dry throughout the year. The terrain gradually rises toward the east, where it meets the foothills of the Serra de Maracaju, a low mountain range that forms part of the watershed divide between the Paraguay and Paraná river basins.

The soil composition varies from sandy loams in the higher elevations to clay-rich alluvial deposits in the lower-lying areas near waterways. Much of the original cerrado savanna vegetation has been converted to agricultural use, creating large open spaces with minimal tree cover. The remaining natural vegetation occurs primarily along riparian corridors and in areas prone to seasonal flooding.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The elevated plateaus and gentle slopes east and southeast of Ivinhema present the most favorable conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These areas benefit from well-drained soils that remain stable throughout the year, avoiding the seasonal flooding issues that affect lower elevations. The terrain in these zones requires minimal grading and preparation, reducing infrastructure development costs significantly.

The agricultural lands on the higher ground between Ivinhema and the Serra de Maracaju foothills offer particularly suitable conditions. These areas feature consistent elevations between 400 and 450 meters above sea level, with slopes generally less than five degrees. The existing road infrastructure serving agricultural operations provides good access for construction and maintenance activities, while the cleared landscape eliminates concerns about vegetation management and shading.

Areas along the BR-163 highway corridor south of the municipality center also present excellent opportunities for solar development. The terrain here consists of stable, well-drained soils on gentle slopes that face predominantly north and northeast, optimizing solar exposure throughout the day. The proximity to existing transmission infrastructure along this major transportation route facilitates grid connection and reduces overall project costs.

The western approaches toward the Pantanal wetlands should generally be avoided for large-scale solar installations due to seasonal flooding patterns and unstable soil conditions. Similarly, the immediate floodplains of the Ivinhema River and its tributaries present challenges related to periodic inundation and high water tables that could compromise foundation stability and equipment protection.

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.