Paragominas, Pará, Brazil, located at latitude -2.9957 and longitude -47.3487, offers a remarkably consistent environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location experiences relatively steady solar conditions, with seasonal variations defined more by rainfall patterns than significant changes in daylight duration.

The solar energy potential at this site shows a favorable distribution across all seasons. During spring, the location achieves its peak production at 6.16 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Winter follows closely with 5.99 kWh/day, while autumn generates 5.65 kWh/day. Summer shows the lowest output at 5.27 kWh/day per installed kilowatt, though this figure still represents strong generation potential.

For fixed solar panel installations in Paragominas, Pará, the optimal tilt angle is 4 degrees facing North. This slight tilt helps maximize year-round energy production by accounting for the location's proximity to the equator and the sun's position throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production at this location. The most significant include:

• Heavy seasonal rainfall during the wet season, which may reduce solar irradiance and cause temporary decreases in energy production
• High humidity levels that can create condensation on panels, potentially reducing efficiency
• Dust and pollen accumulation, particularly during dry periods
• Potential for vegetation growth causing shading, given the rapid growth rates in tropical environments

To mitigate these challenges, installation best practices should include elevated mounting systems with proper drainage to prevent water accumulation, regular cleaning schedules to remove dust and debris, and strategic placement away from tall vegetation or with adequate vegetation management plans. Additionally, using panels with anti-reflective coatings can help maximize light absorption even during periods of diffuse light conditions common during cloudy days.

The consistent year-round production figures suggest that Paragominas offers excellent solar potential throughout the year, with only modest seasonal variations. This stability makes it an ideal location for solar PV installations seeking predictable energy generation patterns with minimal seasonal disruption.

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 Paragominas

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -2.9957, Longitude: -47.3487 (Paragominas, 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° North in Paragominas, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Paragominas, Brazil (Lat/Long -2.9957, -47.3487) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 4° 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 Paragominas, 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 Paragominas, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 4° 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 Paragominas, 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 Paragominas, 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 Paragominas, Brazil

The topography around Paragominas, Brazil is characterized by gently rolling hills and plateaus that form part of the eastern Amazon basin. Located in the state of Pará, this region sits at an elevation of approximately 90 meters above sea level. The landscape features a mix of cleared agricultural lands, regenerating secondary forests, and remnants of the original Amazon rainforest that once covered the entire area. The terrain in Paragominas is generally undulating with modest elevation changes throughout the region. The municipality sits on what geographers call the "Paragominas Plateau," which is part of the larger Amazonian lowlands. This plateau is dissected by numerous small streams and rivers that create shallow valleys between the rolling hills. The soil composition tends to be lateritic, typical of tropical regions that experience significant rainfall and weathering.

Hydrography and Drainage

The area is drained by a network of rivers and streams that are part of the Gurupi River basin to the east and the Capim River basin to the west. These waterways have carved shallow valleys throughout the landscape, creating a pattern of gentle ridges and depressions. During the rainy season, some low-lying areas may experience temporary flooding, while in the dry season, these same areas become completely dry.

Land Use and Vegetation

The natural vegetation around Paragominas has been significantly altered by human activities over the past several decades. Originally covered by dense tropical rainforest, much of the land has been converted to pastures and agricultural fields, particularly for soybean cultivation and cattle ranching. There are also areas of forest regrowth where abandoned pastures are transitioning back to secondary forest.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the most suitable areas near Paragominas would be the cleared, relatively flat plateaus that offer good solar exposure. Specifically, the following areas present favorable conditions: The eastern portions of the municipality, where larger expanses of cleared land exist on slightly elevated plateaus, offer ideal conditions for solar farm development. These areas typically have fewer obstructions to sunlight and more consistent terrain. Agricultural lands to the south of the urban center of Paragominas present opportunities for dual-use development, where solar installations could potentially coexist with certain types of agriculture, creating mutual benefits for energy production and farming. The northwestern sector of the region contains several elevated areas with minimal forest cover that would require less clearing and offer good exposure to the sun throughout the day.

Topographical Considerations for Solar Development

When evaluating specific sites for solar PV installations near Paragominas, several topographical factors should be considered. The gentle slopes found throughout the region generally pose no significant challenges for solar installation, though south-facing slopes (in the Southern Hemisphere) should be avoided when possible as they receive less direct sunlight. Areas near the drainage networks should be approached with caution due to potential seasonal flooding issues. Higher ground on the plateaus, away from water courses, would provide more stable conditions for infrastructure development. The lateritic soils of the region provide reasonably good foundation conditions for solar array mounting systems, though site-specific geotechnical studies would be necessary before any large-scale development. In conclusion, the topography around Paragominas offers numerous suitable locations for solar PV development, particularly on the cleared plateaus that characterize much of the landscape. The relatively flat terrain, combined with extensive areas that have already been cleared of forest cover, creates favorable conditions for large-scale solar energy projects.

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.