Marataizes, Espírito Santo, Brazil presents a good location for year-round solar PV energy generation, though with some seasonal variation in output. Located in the tropics where sunlight remains fairly consistent throughout the year, this coastal city experiences the typical wet and dry seasonal patterns rather than dramatic temperature-based seasons.

Solar Output Performance

The solar energy production at this location shows clear seasonal patterns. Summer delivers the highest output at 7.00kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the ideal time for solar generation. Spring and autumn provide moderate production levels at 5.47kWh and 5.61kWh respectively, while winter shows the lowest output at 4.62kWh per day per kW. For optimal year-round performance, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 19 degrees facing north. This angle maximizes total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's path throughout the year and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors could potentially impact solar production efficiency at Marataizes:

• Salt air corrosion: Being a coastal location, salt-laden air can corrode metal components and degrade electrical connections over time
• High humidity: Tropical humidity levels can affect electrical components and promote corrosion
• Heavy rainfall during wet season: While rain can help clean panels, intense tropical downpours may reduce production during storm periods
• Sand and dust accumulation: Coastal winds can deposit sand and salt particles on panel surfaces, reducing light transmission

Preventative Measures

To ensure optimal solar performance despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be considered. Using marine-grade aluminum frames and stainless steel mounting hardware will resist salt corrosion effectively. All electrical connections should be properly sealed and protected from moisture infiltration. Regular cleaning schedules become particularly important in this environment, with panels requiring more frequent washing to remove salt deposits and accumulated debris. Installing panels with adequate spacing allows for proper air circulation, helping to reduce moisture buildup and improve cooling efficiency. Choosing high-quality inverters with appropriate IP ratings for humid coastal conditions will ensure reliable long-term operation. Despite these environmental considerations, Marataizes remains a viable location for solar energy generation with proper equipment selection and maintenance practices.

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 Marataizes

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -21.0948, Longitude: -40.9002 (Marataizes, 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 Marataizes, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Marataizes, Brazil (Lat/Long -21.0948, -40.9002) 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 Marataizes, 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 Marataizes, 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
5° North in Summer	26° North in Autumn	37° 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 Marataizes, 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 Marataizes, 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 Marataizes, Brazil

Topographical Features of Marataizes

Marataizes sits along Brazil's southeastern Atlantic coastline in Espírito Santo state, where the landscape is characterized by relatively gentle coastal plains that gradually transition inland toward rolling hills. The immediate coastal zone features sandy beaches backed by low-lying areas that rarely exceed 50 meters above sea level. These coastal plains extend inland for several kilometers before encountering the foothills of the Brazilian Highlands. The terrain around Marataizes is predominantly flat to gently undulating, making it part of the broader coastal lowlands that stretch along much of this section of the Brazilian coast. Small rivers and streams meander through the area, creating minor valleys and drainage channels that add subtle variation to an otherwise relatively uniform landscape. The soil composition includes sandy coastal deposits mixed with clay and organic materials from river sediments. Moving inland from the coast, the elevation gradually increases as the landscape transitions from coastal plains to the rolling hills and plateaus that characterize the interior regions of Espírito Santo. These elevated areas, while still modest in height compared to major mountain ranges, provide natural vantage points overlooking the coastal zone.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The coastal plains surrounding Marataizes present excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The flat to gently rolling terrain minimizes the need for extensive site preparation and grading, reducing construction costs and environmental impact. These areas offer expansive tracts of relatively unused land that could accommodate substantial solar arrays without significant topographical constraints. The slightly elevated inland areas, particularly those situated 10 to 30 kilometers from the coast, represent particularly attractive locations for solar development. These zones benefit from the stable weather patterns typical of coastal regions while avoiding the immediate coastal zone where salt spray and extreme weather events might pose greater challenges to solar equipment longevity. Agricultural lands in the gently rolling hills inland from Marataizes could potentially be suitable for agrivoltaic projects, where solar panels are installed above crops or grazing areas. The moderate slopes in these areas provide natural drainage while maintaining accessibility for both agricultural activities and solar panel maintenance. Areas with good road access along the major highways that connect Marataizes to larger population centers would be particularly well-suited for commercial solar development. The existing infrastructure reduces the cost of connecting solar installations to the electrical grid and facilitates ongoing maintenance operations. The region's proximity to transmission lines and electrical infrastructure serving the coastal communities provides additional advantages for solar development, as new installations can more easily integrate with existing power distribution networks without requiring extensive new transmission construction.

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.