Solar Potential in Populina, São Paulo, Brazil

Populina, São Paulo, located in Brazil at coordinates -19.9221, -50.5173, offers promising conditions for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this location benefits from relatively consistent sunlight patterns across seasons, though with notable seasonal variations in energy production. The solar energy potential in Populina demonstrates good year-round performance with seasonal fluctuations. During summer months, solar panels can generate approximately 6.99 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity - the highest output of all seasons. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 6.39 kWh/day, while autumn yields 5.84 kWh/day. Winter, though still productive, shows the lowest generation at 5.31 kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Populina, São Paulo, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 19 degrees facing North. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture throughout the year, accounting for the location's position in the southern hemisphere and the Earth's elliptical orbit. The relatively small difference between summer and winter production (approximately 1.68 kWh/day) indicates good consistency throughout the year, which is advantageous for reliable power generation. This makes Populina suitable for solar installations that aim to provide steady power supply without requiring significant seasonal adjustments or oversizing to compensate for poor performance periods.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Populina:

• Dust accumulation from the region's dry periods can reduce panel efficiency by creating a film that blocks sunlight
• Seasonal rainfall patterns, typical of tropical regions, may cause temporary reductions in output during the wet season
• High temperatures during summer months can slightly decrease panel efficiency

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Populina should incorporate regular cleaning schedules, particularly before and after dry seasons. Installing panels with sufficient elevation from the ground can reduce dust accumulation, while choosing high-temperature rated panels will minimize efficiency losses during hot periods. Additionally, implementing a slight increase in the tilt angle beyond the optimal 19 degrees can promote natural cleaning during rainy periods. Overall, Populina presents favorable conditions for solar energy generation with good year-round potential and manageable environmental challenges that can be addressed through proper installation practices and maintenance.

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 Populina

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -19.9221, Longitude: -50.5173 (Populina, 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 19° North in Populina, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Populina, Brazil (Lat/Long -19.9221, -50.5173) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 19° 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 Populina, 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 Populina, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 19° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
4° North in Summer	26° North in Autumn	36° North in Winter	14° 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 Populina, 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 Populina, 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 Populina, Brazil

Populina is nestled in the northwestern region of São Paulo state in Brazil. The topography surrounding this municipality is characterized primarily by gently rolling plains and modest hills, typical of the interior plateau of southeastern Brazil. The terrain generally slopes downward from east to west, with elevations ranging between approximately 400 to 500 meters above sea level. The landscape around Populina features a mix of agricultural lands, patches of remaining native vegetation, and areas of pasture. The region sits within the larger Paraná River basin, with the Grande River forming part of the northern border between São Paulo and Minas Gerais states not far from Populina. Several smaller streams and tributaries cross the area, creating shallow valleys between the rolling hills.

Soil and Land Features

The soils in this region are predominantly reddish latosols, which developed from the underlying basaltic rocks. These soils typically have good drainage properties but can vary in fertility. The natural vegetation was originally tropical seasonal forest, though much has been converted to agricultural use over decades of development. The topography lacks dramatic features like mountains or deep canyons. Instead, the gentle undulations create a landscape that has been readily adapted for agriculture, particularly sugar cane, soybeans, and cattle ranching.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas around Populina present favorable conditions. The most suitable locations would be: The elevated plateaus to the east and northeast of Populina offer excellent potential for solar farms. These areas feature relatively flat terrain with minimal shading issues from surrounding features. The gentle slopes facing north (toward the equator) would be particularly advantageous for fixed-tilt solar arrays, maximizing solar exposure throughout the year. Agricultural lands to the south and southwest of Populina that are currently underutilized or used for low-yield crops could be repurposed for solar development. These areas benefit from good road access and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, reducing development costs. Some of the rolling hills with northern exposures within 15-20 kilometers of Populina would also be suitable candidates. While these might require some minor terrain modifications, they offer good drainage and reduced risk of flooding compared to lowland areas. The region benefits from minimal atmospheric pollution and limited cloud cover during much of the year, enhancing the efficiency of potential solar installations. The relatively low population density also means that large contiguous parcels of land may be available for development. Areas to avoid would include the riparian zones along waterways, any remaining patches of native forest vegetation, and the most productive agricultural lands that contribute significantly to local food production and the economy.

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.