Solar Energy Potential at Mafra, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Mafra, Santa Catarina, Brazil, located in the Southern Sub Tropics at latitude -26.2794 and longitude -49.8441, offers reasonable conditions for solar energy generation throughout the year, though with notable seasonal variations. The solar energy production potential fluctuates significantly across seasons. During summer, solar panels can generate an impressive 5.93 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.59 kWh/day, while autumn yields 4.41 kWh/day per kW installed. Winter shows the lowest production at 3.37 kWh/day, which is still usable but considerably less than summer output.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Mafra, Santa Catarina, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 24 degrees facing North. This specific angle has been determined through calculations that account for Mafra's geographical position and the Earth's elliptical orbit, optimizing the panels' exposure to the sun throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several local factors could potentially impact solar production in Mafra:

• Rainfall and cloud cover: The region experiences relatively high rainfall, particularly during summer months, which can temporarily reduce solar production despite being the sunniest season.
• Morning fog: Being in a valley area of the Southern Sub Tropics, Mafra can experience morning fog that might delay peak solar production until later in the day.
• Dust and pollen: Agricultural activities in the surrounding areas may contribute to dust and pollen accumulation on panels.

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations should incorporate:

• Self-cleaning panel technologies or regular maintenance schedules to address dust and pollen buildup
• Slightly steeper panel angles than the optimal 24 degrees in areas prone to dust accumulation to facilitate natural cleaning during rainfall
• High-quality inverters that perform well in variable light conditions to maximize energy harvest during partially cloudy days
• Strategic panel placement to avoid morning shade from nearby trees or structures, particularly important during winter months when production is already at its lowest

Despite these considerations, Mafra's annual solar potential remains favorable, with an average daily production of 4.58 kWh per kW installed across the year, making solar power a viable renewable energy option for this location.

Note: The Southern Sub Tropics extend from -23.5° latitude South down to -35° latitude.

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 Mafra

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -26.2794, Longitude: -49.8441 (Mafra, 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 24° North in Mafra, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mafra, Brazil (Lat/Long -26.2794, -49.8441) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 24° 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 Mafra, 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 Mafra, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 24° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
10° North in Summer	32° North in Autumn	42° North in Winter	19° 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 Mafra, 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 Mafra, 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 Mafra, Brazil

The topography around Mafra, Brazil presents a diverse landscape characterized by undulating terrain that transitions between the coastal plains of Santa Catarina state and the foothills of the Serra do Mar mountain range. Situated approximately 70 kilometers northwest of the state capital Florianópolis, Mafra occupies an area with notable elevational variations. The region features gently rolling hills interspersed with small valleys, creating a patchwork of different slope aspects and gradients. The terrain generally increases in elevation as one moves westward from Mafra, with the eastern portions displaying more moderate relief. Several small rivers and streams have carved shallow valleys throughout the area, contributing to the varied topography. The municipality sits at a moderate elevation of approximately 800 meters above sea level, placing it in what is considered the plateau region of Santa Catarina.

Vegetation and Land Use

The natural vegetation around Mafra consists primarily of Atlantic Forest remnants, though much of the original forest has been cleared for agriculture and urban development. The remaining forest patches are typically found on steeper slopes and along waterways. Agricultural land dominates much of the landscape, with both crop cultivation and pasture for livestock being common land uses.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas near Mafra show promising characteristics. The most suitable locations would be found on the gently sloping hills with southern exposures that receive consistent sunlight throughout the year. Specifically, the cleared agricultural lands to the north and northeast of the urban center offer favorable conditions with minimal shading from topographic features. The plateau regions approximately 10-15 kilometers west of Mafra present particularly attractive options for solar development. These areas combine relatively flat terrain with good solar exposure and are often already cleared of dense vegetation. The higher elevation also potentially reduces fog and low cloud cover that might affect coastal areas. Areas to avoid would include the steeper slopes of the Serra do Mar foothills to the east, which may experience more variable weather conditions and present construction challenges. Similarly, the narrow river valleys throughout the region would be less suitable due to potential shading from surrounding hills and higher humidity levels.

Infrastructure Considerations

The existing road network around Mafra provides reasonable access to many of the potentially suitable solar development areas. The BR-116 highway runs through the region, facilitating transportation of equipment and materials. Additionally, the established electrical grid infrastructure in this part of Santa Catarina would potentially support the integration of new solar generation capacity. The combination of moderate elevation, generally clear skies, and extensive areas of gently sloping terrain makes the region around Mafra worthy of consideration for solar PV development, particularly in the plateau areas west of the urban center where topographic conditions align with solar resource requirements.

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.