Pacaraima, Roraima, Brazil represents a good location for year-round solar energy generation, with its tropical climate providing consistent sunlight throughout most of the year. Located at coordinates 4.1952°S, -60.8718°W, this area experiences the typical tropical pattern of wet and dry seasons rather than traditional temperature-based seasons.

Solar Energy Production Potential

The solar energy output at Pacaraima shows relatively strong performance across all seasons. Autumn delivers the highest production at 6.39kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, followed by spring at 5.49kWh/day, summer at 5.63kWh/day, and winter at 5.27kWh/day. This consistency makes it suitable for year-round solar installations, with autumn and spring being the optimal periods for maximum energy generation. For fixed panel installations at this location, the ideal tilt angle is 4 degrees facing South. This shallow angle maximizes total year-round solar production by accounting for the location's proximity to the equator and the varying solar elevation angles throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several factors at Pacaraima could potentially impact solar energy production. The tropical climate brings significant rainfall during wet seasons, which can reduce solar irradiance and create challenges for solar panel performance. High humidity levels are common year-round in this region, potentially leading to moisture-related issues with electrical components. The area's location in the Amazon region means frequent cloud cover during certain periods, particularly during the wet season. Additionally, the tropical environment supports abundant vegetation growth, which could create shading issues if not properly managed during installation planning.

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize solar energy production in Pacaraima's tropical environment, several installation strategies should be implemented:

• Install panels with adequate drainage systems to prevent water accumulation during heavy rainfall periods
• Use corrosion-resistant mounting hardware and electrical components rated for high-humidity environments
• Ensure proper ventilation behind panels to reduce heat buildup and moisture retention
• Select panels with anti-reflective coatings and hydrophobic surfaces for better performance during wet conditions
• Plan installation sites to avoid potential shading from fast-growing tropical vegetation

Regular maintenance becomes particularly important in this environment. Cleaning schedules should account for dust accumulation during dry periods and potential organic debris during wet seasons. Proper site selection away from areas prone to excessive vegetation growth will help maintain long-term energy production efficiency.

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 Pacaraima

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 4.1952, Longitude: -60.8718 (Pacaraima, 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 4° South in Pacaraima, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pacaraima, Brazil (Lat/Long 4.1952, -60.8718) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 4° South 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 Pacaraima, 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 Pacaraima, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 4° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
12° North in Summer	10° South in Autumn	20° South in Winter	2° 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 Pacaraima, 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 Pacaraima, 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 Pacaraima, Brazil

Topographical Features of the Pacaraima Region

Pacaraima sits in the northernmost reaches of Brazil's Roraima state, positioned along the border with Venezuela in a region characterized by dramatic geological contrasts. The town itself lies at the foot of the Pacaraima Mountains, which form part of the ancient Guiana Shield formation. This mountainous terrain creates a landscape of rolling hills, steep escarpments, and elevated plateaus that rise significantly above the surrounding lowlands.

The immediate area around Pacaraima features undulating topography with elevations ranging from moderate hills to more substantial mountain slopes. The terrain becomes increasingly rugged as it extends northward toward the Venezuelan border, where the Pacaraima Mountains reach their most dramatic heights. These ancient geological formations are composed primarily of crystalline rocks and sandstone, creating distinctive flat-topped mountains known as tepuis that are characteristic of the broader Guiana Highlands region.

South and east of Pacaraima, the landscape gradually transitions into the expansive savannas and grasslands that dominate much of Roraima state. This transition zone features gentler slopes and more open terrain, interspersed with patches of gallery forest along waterways and scattered clusters of trees across the savanna landscape. The drainage patterns in the region flow primarily toward the Amazon basin, creating numerous small streams and seasonal watercourses that carve shallow valleys through the terrain.

Climate and Environmental Conditions

The region experiences a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons that significantly influence the local topography and vegetation patterns. During the wet season, the landscape transforms as seasonal streams swell and the savanna grasslands become lush and green. The dry season reveals the underlying terrain more clearly, as vegetation recedes and the rolling contours of the land become more prominent.

The elevation changes throughout the region create microclimatic variations, with higher elevations experiencing cooler temperatures and different precipitation patterns compared to the lower savanna areas. These climatic differences contribute to diverse vegetation zones, from mountain forests on the higher slopes to open grasslands in the flatter areas.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations lie in the relatively flat to gently rolling savanna areas southeast and southwest of Pacaraima town. These expansive grassland regions offer several advantages for solar development, including minimal topographical obstacles, reduced vegetation clearing requirements, and easier access for construction and maintenance activities.

The open savanna landscape provides excellent solar exposure with minimal shading from natural features. The terrain in these areas typically features gentle slopes that can be easily graded for optimal panel positioning while maintaining proper drainage. The grassland vegetation requires less intensive clearing compared to forested areas, reducing environmental impact and development costs.

Areas closer to existing transportation infrastructure, particularly along the BR-174 highway corridor south of Pacaraima, present additional advantages for solar development. These locations combine favorable topographical conditions with better access for equipment transport and grid connection possibilities. The relatively stable geological conditions of the Guiana Shield provide solid foundations for large-scale installations.

The transitional zone between the mountain foothills and the open savanna also offers potential development sites, particularly on south-facing slopes with moderate gradients. These locations can provide excellent solar exposure while taking advantage of natural drainage patterns. However, careful site selection would be necessary to avoid areas prone to seasonal flooding or excessive erosion during the wet season.

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.