Laranja da Terra, Brazil, located in the tropical region, offers a promising environment for solar energy production throughout the year. This location benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than traditional temperature-based seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy potential in Laranja da Terra varies across the meteorological seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, with an average daily output of 6.06 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Autumn follows closely, generating 5.59 kWh/day. Spring ranks third with 5.19 kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest output at 4.49 kWh/day per kW installed.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

Based on these figures, the ideal times for solar energy production in Laranja da Terra are during the summer and autumn months. However, it's worth noting that even during the least productive season (winter), the output remains relatively high compared to many other global locations, highlighting the area's year-round solar potential.

Panel Installation Considerations

For those installing fixed solar panels in Laranja da Terra, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 19 degrees facing North. This angle has been calculated taking into account the location's latitude, daily solar elevation angles, and potential daily PV output throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Laranja da Terra generally presents favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few factors to consider: 1. Rainfall: The region experiences a wet season, which could temporarily reduce solar output due to cloud cover. 2. Dust and pollen: Being in a tropical area, accumulation of dust and pollen on panels may occur, potentially affecting efficiency. To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures:

• Install a reliable cleaning system or schedule regular manual cleaning of the panels
• Use anti-soiling coatings on the panels to reduce dust and pollen accumulation
• Implement a tilted panel setup (as recommended) to allow for natural cleaning by rainwater

Overall, Laranja da Terra presents an excellent location for year-round solar energy production, with minimal significant impediments to solar performance when proper installation 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 Laranja Da Terra

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -19.8662, Longitude: -41.0553 (Laranja Da Terra, 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 19° North in Laranja Da Terra, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Laranja Da Terra, Brazil (Lat/Long -19.8662, -41.0553) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 19° 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 Laranja Da Terra, 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 Laranja Da Terra, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 19° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
4° North in Summer	25° North in Autumn	35° North in Winter	14° 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 Laranja Da Terra, 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 Laranja Da Terra, 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 Laranja Da Terra, Brazil

The topography around Laranja da Terra, Brazil, is characterized by a diverse and undulating landscape. This region, located in the state of Espírito Santo, features a mix of rolling hills, valleys, and some flatter areas. The terrain is generally hilly, with elevations varying between 200 and 800 meters above sea level. The area is part of the Atlantic Forest biome, which historically covered much of Brazil's eastern coast. The region surrounding Laranja da Terra is marked by a network of small rivers and streams that have carved their way through the landscape over time. These waterways contribute to the area's varied topography, creating natural valleys and occasional steep slopes. The hills in the area are often covered with a mix of native vegetation and agricultural lands, reflecting the region's balance between nature and human activity.

Solar PV Potential

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations for solar farms in this region would be areas with relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from surrounding hills or vegetation. Some of the more suitable areas for solar PV development might be found in the broader, flatter valleys between the hills. These locations often provide larger contiguous spaces that could accommodate extensive solar arrays. Additionally, south-facing slopes (in the Southern Hemisphere) could be advantageous for solar installations, as they typically receive more direct sunlight throughout the day. It's important to note that while the hilly terrain presents some challenges for large-scale solar development, it also offers opportunities for creative solutions. For instance, terraced solar installations on hillsides could potentially maximize land use while taking advantage of optimal sun angles. However, any large-scale solar PV project in this area would need to carefully balance energy production goals with environmental conservation concerns, given the region's location within the ecologically important Atlantic Forest biome. Proper site selection and environmental impact assessments would be crucial to ensure sustainable development that respects the local ecosystem and topography.

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.