Solar Energy Potential in Piracuruca, Piauí, Brazil

Piracuruca, Piauí, Brazil offers a highly favorable location for solar energy generation, with consistent energy production throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from steady sunlight patterns that make it an excellent candidate for photovoltaic (PV) installations. The seasonal solar production data reveals a remarkably balanced output across the year. During summer months, each kilowatt of installed solar capacity generates approximately 5.88 kWh per day. Autumn sees a similar output of 5.90 kWh daily per installed kilowatt. Winter actually improves to 6.28 kWh daily, while spring represents the peak production season with an impressive 6.96 kWh per day for each kilowatt installed.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed solar panel installations in Piracuruca, Piauí, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 4 degrees facing North. This slight tilt optimizes the capture of solar radiation throughout the year, accounting for the location's proximity to the equator where the sun passes nearly directly overhead.

Seasonal Variations and Peak Production

Unlike many locations worldwide that experience dramatic seasonal fluctuations in solar output, Piracuruca demonstrates remarkable consistency. The difference between the lowest production season (summer) and highest (spring) is only about 1.08 kWh per day per installed kilowatt - representing a variation of less than 20%. Spring clearly emerges as the optimal production period, likely coinciding with clear skies and favorable sun angles. The winter production figures are particularly noteworthy, as many locations experience significant drops during winter months, while Piracuruca actually sees better production than in summer or autumn.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

The primary environmental factor potentially affecting solar production in Piracuruca is the typical tropical rainfall pattern. The region experiences wet and dry seasons rather than temperature-defined seasons, with heavy rainfall potentially reducing solar output during wet periods. Installing panels with adequate drainage systems and water-resistant connections is essential to mitigate these effects. Dust accumulation can also impact efficiency in tropical environments. Implementing regular cleaning schedules or installing automated cleaning systems would help maintain optimal performance. Additionally, using panels with anti-reflective coatings specifically designed for tropical environments can improve energy absorption even during high humidity conditions. Heat can reduce solar panel efficiency, so selecting panels with good temperature coefficients and ensuring adequate airflow behind the panels through proper mounting systems would help maximize energy harvest throughout the year.

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 Piracuruca

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -3.8666, Longitude: -41.7415 (Piracuruca, 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 Piracuruca, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Piracuruca, Brazil (Lat/Long -3.8666, -41.7415) 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 Piracuruca, 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 Piracuruca, 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
12° South in Summer	11° North in Autumn	20° North in Winter	2° 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 Piracuruca, 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 Piracuruca, 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 Piracuruca, Brazil

The topography around Piracuruca, Brazil presents a diverse landscape characterized by gently rolling plains interspersed with modest elevations. Located in the northeastern state of Piauí, this region sits in a transitional zone between the more arid caatinga biome and the tropical cerrado. The terrain generally consists of flat to undulating surfaces with occasional hills and low plateaus that rarely exceed 300 meters above sea level. The municipality of Piracuruca and its surroundings feature a mix of open grasslands, scattered tree formations, and seasonal watercourses. The Piracuruca River, for which the municipality is named, carves through the landscape and contributes to local topographical variations. During the dry season, many smaller streams and tributaries may diminish substantially or dry completely, altering the visible landscape features.

Notable Topographical Features

To the east of Piracuruca lies the Serra da Ibiapaba, a significant escarpment that forms a natural boundary between the states of Piauí and Ceará. This elevated plateau creates a distinct topographical contrast to the otherwise relatively flat terrain. The escarpment rises somewhat abruptly from the surrounding plains, reaching heights of approximately 600-800 meters in some sections. The western and southern areas surrounding Piracuruca gradually transition into more extensive flatlands that characterize much of central Piauí state. These plains feature sparse vegetation during dry periods but transform considerably during rainy seasons when the native vegetation flourishes.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

The most suitable areas for large-scale solar photovoltaic development near Piracuruca would be the extensive flatlands to the west and southwest of the municipality. These regions offer several advantageous characteristics: The flat to gently sloping terrain minimizes the need for extensive grading and earthwork during construction, significantly reducing initial development costs. These open plains also experience minimal shading from natural features, allowing for optimal solar exposure throughout the day. Additionally, the areas west of Piracuruca tend to have less dense vegetation compared to regions closer to the Serra da Ibiapaba, reducing clearing requirements and associated environmental impacts. The soil composition in these flatlands typically provides good stability for mounting structures without excessive foundation requirements. The southwestern plains also benefit from their proximity to existing transportation infrastructure, with road networks that could facilitate construction access and ongoing maintenance. These areas generally experience less seasonal flooding compared to locations closer to major watercourses, reducing the risk of operational disruptions. While the entire region around Piracuruca receives substantial solar radiation year-round, the western plains specifically combine favorable topography with practical development considerations, making them particularly well-suited for large-scale solar PV installations. The natural elevation gradients in these areas also provide opportunities for effective drainage design, an important consideration for maintaining access and operations during the rainy 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!

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.