Solar PV Analysis of Presidente Dutra, Brazil
Presidente Dutra, Maranhão, Brazil presents an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight throughout the year, with energy production varying between seasons based on wet and dry patterns rather than the dramatic seasonal changes seen in temperate climates.
Solar Energy Production Performance
The solar energy output at Presidente Dutra shows strong performance across all seasons. Winter emerges as the peak production period, generating 6.32kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. This is followed closely by spring at 5.96kWh/day, autumn at 5.84kWh/day, and summer at 5.17kWh/day.
The relatively high and consistent output throughout the year makes this location highly suitable for solar installations. Even the lowest-producing season (summer) still delivers over 5kWh per day per kW, which represents strong performance for tropical solar installations.
Optimal Installation Configuration
For maximum year-round energy production, solar panels at Presidente Dutra should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 6 degrees facing north. This shallow angle is typical for locations close to the equator, where the sun passes nearly overhead throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Challenges
Several local factors could potentially impact solar energy production at this tropical location:
- High humidity and frequent rainfall: The tropical climate brings periods of heavy moisture and rain, particularly during wet seasons, which can reduce solar irradiance and create maintenance challenges
- Dust and debris accumulation: Dry periods can lead to dust buildup on panels, while wet seasons may deposit organic matter and sediments
- Extreme heat: High temperatures common in tropical regions can reduce solar panel efficiency and accelerate equipment degradation
- Corrosive environment: High humidity levels can accelerate corrosion of metal components and electrical connections
Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance
To maximize energy production and system longevity at Presidente Dutra, Maranhão, several preventative measures should be implemented:
Regular cleaning schedules are essential, with more frequent cleaning during dusty dry periods and after heavy rains. Installing panels at the optimal 6-degree tilt helps with natural rain washing, but manual cleaning will still be necessary.
Enhanced ventilation around and beneath panels helps manage heat buildup. Mounting systems should allow adequate airflow to keep panels cooler and maintain efficiency during hot periods.
Corrosion-resistant materials are crucial for all mounting hardware, electrical connections, and junction boxes. Stainless steel or specially coated aluminum components perform better in high-humidity tropical environments.
Robust electrical protection including proper grounding, surge protection, and weatherproof enclosures for all electrical components helps prevent moisture-related failures and lightning damage common in tropical climates.
Despite these environmental challenges, Presidente Dutra remains an excellent location for solar energy generation due to its consistent high output levels throughout the year. Proper installation techniques and maintenance practices can effectively mitigate most environmental concerns while capitalizing on the location's strong solar resource.
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 Presidente Dutra
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -5.3047, Longitude: -44.5029 (Presidente Dutra, 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 Presidente Dutra, Brazil
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Presidente Dutra, Brazil (Lat/Long -5.3047, -44.5029) 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 Presidente Dutra, 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 Presidente Dutra, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10° South in Summer | 12° North in Autumn | 21° North in Winter | 0° 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 Presidente Dutra, 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 Presidente Dutra, 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 Presidente Dutra, Brazil
Topographical Features of the Presidente Dutra Region
Presidente Dutra sits in the northeastern state of Maranhão, Brazil, within a region characterized by gently rolling terrain and relatively modest elevation changes. The landscape around this municipality features predominantly flat to slightly undulating topography, with elevations typically ranging from 100 to 300 meters above sea level. This area forms part of the Brazilian Highlands' northern extension, where the terrain gradually transitions from the more mountainous interior regions toward the coastal lowlands.
The immediate vicinity of Presidente Dutra is dominated by cerrado vegetation, a vast tropical savanna ecoregion that covers much of central Brazil. This landscape consists of scattered trees and shrubs interspersed with grasslands, creating an open canopy environment. The terrain is generally well-drained, with seasonal streams and small rivers cutting shallow valleys through the landscape. The soil composition varies from sandy to clay-rich deposits, with lateritic soils common throughout the region due to the tropical climate and weathering processes.
Moving outward from Presidente Dutra, the topography remains relatively consistent for many kilometers in all directions. To the north and east, the land gradually slopes toward the Atlantic coastal plain, while southward and westward, the elevation increases slightly toward the central Brazilian plateau. The region experiences distinct wet and dry seasons, which influence both the vegetation patterns and the suitability of different areas for development projects.
Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development
The expansive flat and gently rolling terrain surrounding Presidente Dutra presents excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most suitable areas lie on the elevated plateaus and broad ridge tops that extend in multiple directions from the town center. These locations offer several advantages including minimal grading requirements, good natural drainage, and reduced risk of flooding during the rainy season.
Particularly promising areas can be found on the higher ground to the southwest and south of Presidente Dutra, where the terrain rises gradually toward the Brazilian Highlands. These elevated areas not only provide stable foundations for solar arrays but also benefit from consistent air circulation that can help maintain optimal operating temperatures for photovoltaic panels. The sparse vegetation typical of the cerrado ecosystem means that land clearing requirements would be relatively minimal compared to forested regions.
The open savanna landscapes extending northward and eastward from the municipality also present viable options for solar development. These areas feature predominantly flat terrain with excellent accessibility potential for construction and maintenance activities. The existing road network in the region, while modest, provides reasonable access to many of these suitable locations, though some infrastructure development might be necessary for the largest installations.
Areas near existing transmission infrastructure would be particularly advantageous for solar development, as they could minimize the costs associated with grid connection. The relatively stable geological conditions throughout the region, characterized by weathered bedrock and well-consolidated soils, provide suitable foundations for large-scale solar installations without requiring extensive ground preparation or specialized foundation systems.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 30th of June 2025
Last Updated: Tuesday 5th of August 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.
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