Solar PV Analysis of Manaus, Brazil
Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil is a pretty good location for generating energy through solar power all year round. This is because it's in the Tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The amount of electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies slightly by season: 4.72 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer, 4.74 kWh/day in autumn, 5.20 kWh/day in winter and 5.48 kWh/day in spring.
This means that while you can generate solar power all year round, the most productive times would be during spring and winter due to higher daily output.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 3 degrees North will give you the best total production over the course of a year.
However, there are some factors that could potentially affect your solar production here:
1) Rainfall: Manaus has a tropical monsoon climate with heavy rainfall particularly between December and May which may reduce sunlight exposure on some days.
2) Cloud cover: The city also experiences significant cloud cover throughout much of the year which could limit sun exposure.
3) Heat & Humidity: High temperatures and humidity can reduce efficiency of solar panels over time.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
- Ensure regular maintenance and cleaning especially after heavy rainfall to remove any debris or dirt on your panels.
- Consider using cooling systems or choosing high-efficiency modules designed for hot climates to mitigate heat-related efficiency losses.
- Research local weather patterns before installation so you know what kind of conditions your system will need to withstand.
In summary, while there are environmental factors that could impede solar generation at this location - primarily related to weather - these can be managed with appropriate planning and equipment selection. Overall, Manaus offers good potential for effective use of solar PV technology throughout all seasons.
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 Manaus
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -3.1032, Longitude: -60.0288 (Manaus, 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 3° North in Manaus, Brazil
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Manaus, Brazil (Lat/Long -3.1032, -60.0288) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 3° 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 Manaus, 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 Manaus, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 3° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13° South in Summer | 10° North in Autumn | 19° North in Winter | 3° South 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 Manaus, 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 Manaus, Brazil.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Manaus, Brazil
Manaus, the capital city of the state of Amazonas in northern Brazil, is situated in the middle of the Amazon rainforest. The topography around Manaus is primarily flat or gently undulating with an average elevation of about 92 feet (28 meters) above sea level. The region is characterized by dense tropical rainforest, vast river systems including the Negro and Amazon rivers, numerous small lakes and wetlands.
The climate is tropical monsoon with a short dry season. It's hot and humid throughout the year with heavy rainfall especially from December to May. This heavy cloud cover can limit sunlight exposure which may impact solar PV efficiency.
However, considering large-scale solar PV installations, areas outside the city limits that are relatively flat would be suitable as they provide ample space for installation. Also important would be access to infrastructure such as roads for transport and grid connectivity for power distribution.
One potential area could be towards Rio Preto da Eva located eastwards along BR-174 highway where there seems to be less dense vegetation compared to other directions out of Manaus. However, it's crucial that any development considers environmental impacts given this region's rich biodiversity.
Ultimately, a detailed site-specific assessment considering factors like land use patterns, local regulations on land use change especially deforestation laws in Brazil’s Amazon region; proximity to transmission lines; solar irradiation levels; seasonal variations in weather conditions etc., should guide decision-making process regarding suitability for large-scale solar PV installations near Manaus.
It might also be worth exploring floating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on some of these numerous water bodies around Manaus as an alternative approach that avoids deforestation while harnessing abundant sunlight when not obscured by clouds.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 14th of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
