Solar PV Analysis of Pato Branco, Brazil
Pato Branco, Paraná, Brazil is a pretty good place for generating solar power all year round. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar changes with the seasons though. In summer, it's at its highest with almost 7kWh per day for every kW of installed solar. Autumn sees a slight drop to about 5kWh/day, and winter dips further to around 4kWh/day. But then in spring, it starts picking up again to over 6kWh/day.
So while you can generate power throughout the year, summer and spring are definitely the best times for this location. If you're planning on installing fixed panels here, tilting them at an angle of 23 degrees towards the North will help maximize your total production across all seasons.
As far as local factors that could affect your solar production go - there aren't any major ones in Pato Branco that would significantly impede your ability to generate energy from the sun. However, like any other place, weather conditions like heavy rain or cloud cover could temporarily reduce output.
To ensure greater energy production despite these occasional weather disturbances:
1) Maintain your panels regularly by cleaning off any debris or dust accumulation which may block sunlight.
2) Consider installing a tracking system so that your panels can follow the sun's movement and always stay oriented towards it - although this might be more costly.
3) If possible choose high-efficiency PV modules which perform better under less than ideal light conditions.
4) Use microinverters or power optimizers which allow each panel to operate independently thus reducing losses due to shading or dirt.
Remember though these are preventative measures; they won't eliminate weather-related disruptions but should help minimize their impact on overall energy generation from your solar installation in Pato Branco.
Note: The Southern Sub Tropics extend from -23.5° latitude South down to -35° latitude.
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 Pato Branco
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -26.1704, Longitude: -52.6589 (Pato Branco, 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 23° North in Pato Branco, Brazil
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pato Branco, Brazil (Lat/Long -26.1704, -52.6589) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 23° 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 Pato Branco, 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 Pato Branco, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 23° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10° North in Summer | 32° North in Autumn | 41° North in Winter | 19° 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 Pato Branco, 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 Pato Branco, 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 Pato Branco, Brazil
Pato Branco is located in the southwestern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil. The topography around Pato Branco is generally hilly with some flat areas. It lies within an elevated plateau region known as Planalto Meridional, with average altitudes ranging from 600 to 800 meters above sea level.
The climate in Pato Branco is characterized as humid subtropical (Cfa) according to Köppen and Geiger classification system, which means it has a significant amount of rainfall during the year and warm summers. This type of climate can be favorable for solar PV installations due to consistent sunlight throughout the year.
Areas most suited for large-scale solar PV near Pato Branco would likely be flat or gently sloping regions that receive direct sunlight for most parts of the day. These could include agricultural lands or open fields where there are minimal obstructions such as tall trees or buildings that might block sunlight.
However, specific site selection would require further detailed analysis considering factors like local weather patterns, land use restrictions, proximity to power grids and infrastructure etc., which goes beyond just topographical considerations.
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: Saturday 20th of April 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.
