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 Paracatu

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -17.1328, Longitude: -46.8826 (Paracatu, 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 17° North in Paracatu, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Paracatu, Brazil (Lat/Long -17.1328, -46.8826) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 17° 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 Paracatu, 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 Paracatu, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 17° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
1° North in Summer	23° North in Autumn	33° North in Winter	11° 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 Paracatu, 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 Paracatu, 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 Paracatu, Brazil

The topography around Paracatu, Brazil presents a diverse landscape characterized primarily by rolling hills, plateaus, and gentle slopes typical of Brazil's central highlands. Located in the northwestern part of Minas Gerais state, Paracatu sits within the Cerrado biome, Brazil's vast tropical savanna ecosystem that covers much of the country's central region. The terrain surrounding Paracatu features undulating plains with elevations generally ranging between 500 to 900 meters above sea level. The area is part of the Brazilian Shield, an ancient geological formation that gives rise to the characteristic moderate relief patterns observed throughout the region. Several small rivers and streams cut through the landscape, creating shallow valleys and occasional floodplains.

Notable Topographical Features

To the east of Paracatu, the terrain gradually rises toward the Serra da Canastra mountain range, while to the west, the landscape transitions into the flatter expanses that eventually reach the Pantanal wetlands. The local topography has been shaped by millions of years of erosion, resulting in rounded hilltops and wide, open valleys. The soil composition in the region consists predominantly of latosols - deeply weathered, iron-rich soils typical of tropical regions. These soils support the native Cerrado vegetation, which includes a mixture of grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs, often with twisted trunks and thick bark adapted to the seasonal dry periods.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installation, the most suitable areas near Paracatu would be the gently sloping plains and plateaus that dominate the landscape to the west and southwest of the city. These areas offer several advantageous characteristics: The relatively flat plateaus provide extensive, continuous tracts of land where solar arrays could be efficiently arranged without requiring significant terrain modification. The moderate slopes facing north (in the southern hemisphere, north-facing slopes receive more direct sunlight) would be particularly advantageous for fixed-tilt solar installations. The areas with sparse Cerrado vegetation would require minimal clearing, reducing both environmental impact and installation costs. Additionally, the elevated plateaus experience less fog and cloud cover compared to the river valleys, ensuring more consistent solar exposure. The northwestern sectors beyond Paracatu offer particularly promising conditions, with expansive areas of consistent elevation and minimal shading obstacles. These locations combine favorable topography with good accessibility via existing roads, making them logistically viable for large infrastructure projects. Areas to avoid would include the steeper slopes found in the eastern approaches toward the Serra da Canastra, as well as the riparian zones along waterways where environmental protections would likely prohibit development and where periodic flooding could pose risks to infrastructure. The open character of the landscape, with limited tall vegetation or geographical features that might cast shadows, makes much of the region around Paracatu naturally conducive to solar energy development, with the primary considerations being proximity to existing transmission infrastructure and accessibility rather than topographical limitations.

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.