Pedra Lavrada, Paraíba, Brazil presents an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation. Located in the tropical region at coordinates -6.78, -36.4379, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout most of the year, with seasons typically defined by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature variations.

Solar Energy Production Potential

The solar energy output at Pedra Lavrada shows strong performance across all seasons. Spring emerges as the most productive season, generating 7.29 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely with 6.59 kWh/day, while autumn produces 6.14 kWh/day. Even during the least productive season of winter, the location still generates a respectable 5.73 kWh/day per kW installed. For optimal year-round performance, solar panels at this location should be installed with a fixed tilt angle of 6 degrees facing north. This specific angle maximizes total annual solar production by accounting for the sun's path throughout the year and the area's proximity to the equator.

Seasonal Performance Patterns

The peak solar generation period occurs during spring, making this an ideal time for maximum energy production. Summer also provides excellent output, while the transition into autumn shows a gradual decrease. Winter represents the lowest production period, though the output remains quite substantial compared to many other global locations.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several local factors could potentially impact solar energy production at Pedra Lavrada:

• Heavy rainfall during wet seasons - Can reduce solar irradiance and create temporary shading
• High humidity levels - May cause moisture buildup on panels, reducing efficiency
• Dust accumulation - Common in tropical regions, particularly during dry periods
• Tropical storms - Can damage equipment and interrupt power generation

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be considered:

• Regular cleaning schedules - Implement frequent panel washing to remove dust and debris
• Proper drainage systems - Install adequate water runoff channels to prevent standing water
• Robust mounting systems - Use reinforced structures designed to withstand tropical weather conditions
• Ventilation spacing - Allow adequate airflow behind panels to reduce heat buildup and moisture retention
• Quality inverters with protective housing - Protect electrical components from humidity and temperature fluctuations

Despite these considerations, Pedra Lavrada's tropical location offers significant advantages for solar energy generation, with consistent high output throughout the year making it an attractive location for solar PV installations.

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 Pedra Lavrada

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -6.78, Longitude: -36.4379 (Pedra Lavrada, 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 6° North in Pedra Lavrada, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pedra Lavrada, Brazil (Lat/Long -6.78, -36.4379) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 6° 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 Pedra Lavrada, 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 Pedra Lavrada, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 6° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
9° South in Summer	13° North in Autumn	22° North in Winter	1° 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 Pedra Lavrada, 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 Pedra Lavrada, 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 Pedra Lavrada, Brazil

Topographical Features of Pedra Lavrada

Pedra Lavrada sits within the semi-arid landscape of Paraíba state in northeastern Brazil, positioned in the heart of the Caatinga biome. The terrain around this municipality is characterized by relatively gentle undulations and low-lying hills that form part of the broader Borborema Plateau system. The elevation in the immediate vicinity ranges from approximately 400 to 600 meters above sea level, creating a landscape of rolling hills interspersed with flatter valley areas. The region displays the typical geological features of the Brazilian Shield, with exposed crystalline rocks and weathered granite formations creating a foundation of stable, well-drained terrain. These ancient rock formations have been sculpted over millions of years into a landscape of moderate relief, where steep slopes are relatively uncommon and the majority of the land presents manageable gradients for development purposes.

Drainage and Water Features

The area is drained by several seasonal watercourses that flow intermittently during the rainy season, typically between December and May. These temporary streams, known locally as riachos, carve shallow valleys through the landscape but rarely create significant topographical barriers. The drainage pattern tends to follow the natural contours of the land, flowing generally eastward toward the Atlantic Ocean through the larger river systems of the region. During the dry season, which dominates much of the year, these watercourses often reduce to isolated pools or disappear entirely, leaving behind sandy beds that blend seamlessly with the surrounding terrain. This seasonal variation in water flow means that the landscape remains relatively stable throughout the year, with minimal erosion or significant changes to the topographical profile.

Vegetation and Land Cover

The natural vegetation consists primarily of Caatinga scrubland, featuring drought-adapted shrubs, cacti, and small trees that rarely exceed 10 meters in height. This sparse vegetation creates an open landscape with excellent ground-level access and minimal shading concerns. The plant communities are well-adapted to the semi-arid conditions and typically lose their leaves during the dry season, further reducing any potential shading issues. Much of the land around Pedra Lavrada has been modified for agricultural use, particularly cattle ranching and subsistence farming. These human activities have created large areas of cleared or semi-cleared land with established access routes and relatively level terrain suitable for various development purposes.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations lie in the flatter valley areas and gentle hillsides with southern and southeastern exposures. These zones offer several advantages including stable geological foundations, minimal grading requirements, and excellent accessibility for construction and maintenance activities. The areas between 450 and 550 meters elevation provide optimal conditions, as they avoid both the lowest-lying areas that might experience occasional flooding and the highest ridges that could face increased wind exposure. The former agricultural lands present particularly attractive opportunities, as they often feature existing road access and cleared terrain that would require minimal preparation. These areas typically span several hundred hectares in continuous blocks, making them ideal for utility-scale solar farms that benefit from economies of scale. The gentle slopes found throughout much of the region, typically ranging from 2 to 8 degrees, are actually advantageous for solar installations as they can be oriented to maximize exposure while providing natural drainage for rainfall. The stable granite-based soils offer excellent foundation conditions for mounting systems, reducing construction complexity and long-term maintenance requirements. Areas to the southwest and southeast of the town center appear particularly well-suited, where the topography opens into broader valleys with consistent gentle gradients and minimal vegetation obstacles. These zones combine favorable terrain characteristics with proximity to existing infrastructure, including roads and electrical transmission lines that could facilitate grid connection for large-scale solar developments.

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.