Quebrangulo, Alagoas, Brazil presents an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation. Located in the tropical zone at coordinates -9.2936, -36.5005, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout most of the year, with seasonal variations typically characterized by wet and dry periods rather than dramatic temperature changes.

Solar Energy Production Potential

The solar energy output data for Quebrangulo shows strong performance across all seasons. Spring delivers the highest production at 7.02 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, closely followed by summer at 6.86 kWh per day. Autumn provides moderate output at 5.67 kWh per day, while winter shows the lowest but still respectable production at 4.87 kWh per day. The spring and summer months represent the ideal times for solar generation at this location, producing approximately 44% more energy than the winter period. However, even the lowest-producing season still delivers nearly 5 kWh per day per kW installed, indicating reliable year-round solar potential. For optimal energy capture, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 7 degrees facing north. This angle has been calculated to maximize total annual production by accounting for the sun's path throughout the year, Earth's elliptical orbit, and local solar irradiance patterns.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors could potentially impact solar energy production in Quebrangulo and require consideration during installation:

• Seasonal rainfall: The tropical wet season can reduce solar output through cloud cover and frequent precipitation
• High humidity: Persistent moisture in the air may cause panel soiling and reduce light transmission
• Dust and debris accumulation: Dry periods can lead to dust buildup on panel surfaces
• Vegetation growth: The tropical climate supports rapid plant growth that could create shading issues

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be implemented: Regular maintenance schedules become crucial in this environment. Panels should be cleaned frequently, particularly during transition periods between wet and dry seasons when dust and organic matter accumulate most readily. Proper panel mounting systems should incorporate adequate drainage to prevent water pooling and ensure quick drying after rainfall events. Elevated mounting with sufficient air circulation underneath panels helps reduce humidity-related issues and improves cooling efficiency. Strategic site selection and ongoing vegetation management are essential. Panels should be positioned away from fast-growing trees, and regular trimming schedules should be established to prevent shading. Installing panels with slightly wider spacing than typical can also help account for potential partial shading while maintaining good overall system performance. Investing in high-quality panel coatings and materials designed for tropical environments will help resist humidity, temperature fluctuations, and potential corrosion from moisture exposure.

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 Quebrangulo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -9.2936, Longitude: -36.5005 (Quebrangulo, 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 7° North in Quebrangulo, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Quebrangulo, Brazil (Lat/Long -9.2936, -36.5005) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 7° 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 Quebrangulo, 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 Quebrangulo, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 7° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
6° South in Summer	15° North in Autumn	25° North in Winter	3° 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 Quebrangulo, 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 Quebrangulo, 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 Quebrangulo, Brazil

Topographical Features of Quebrangulo

Quebrangulo sits within the northeastern Brazilian state of Alagoas, positioned in a region characterized by rolling hills and moderate elevation changes typical of the Agreste microregion. The landscape around this municipality features a transitional terrain between the coastal lowlands to the east and the higher elevations of the interior plateau to the west. The topography consists primarily of undulating hills with elevations ranging from approximately 200 to 600 meters above sea level, creating a gently rolling countryside that extends across much of the surrounding area. The region displays the characteristic features of the Brazilian Northeast's semi-arid transition zone, where the terrain gradually rises from the coastal plain toward the interior highlands. Small valleys and ridgelines create a moderate relief pattern throughout the area, with occasional steeper slopes but generally manageable gradients. The landscape is punctuated by seasonal watercourses and small tributaries that have carved gentle depressions into the terrain over time.

Drainage and Water Features

The hydrographical network around Quebrangulo consists mainly of intermittent streams and seasonal watercourses that flow during the rainy season. These waterways have created shallow valleys and drainage channels throughout the region, contributing to the overall undulating character of the landscape. The terrain slopes generally toward the east, following the natural drainage pattern toward the Atlantic Ocean through various river systems. Small reservoirs and agricultural ponds dot the landscape, constructed to capture and store water during periods of rainfall. These water features, while modest in size, create localized flat areas and influence the immediate topography around them.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations around Quebrangulo would be the broader hilltops and elevated plateaus that offer relatively flat or gently sloping terrain. These elevated areas provide several advantages including reduced risk of flooding, minimal shading from adjacent terrain features, and often better access to existing infrastructure networks. The southeastern and southwestern portions of the municipal area contain particularly promising sites where the topography flattens into broader elevated plains. These areas combine favorable terrain characteristics with proximity to regional transportation corridors and electrical transmission infrastructure. The moderate elevations in these zones also provide natural drainage, reducing concerns about water accumulation during heavy rainfall periods. Areas with south-facing slopes of moderate gradient could also prove suitable for solar development, as they can be engineered to optimize panel orientation while taking advantage of the natural terrain. However, the most cost-effective installations would likely focus on the flatter elevated areas where ground preparation and installation costs would be minimized. The region's generally open landscape, with relatively sparse tree coverage in many areas due to the semi-arid climate, reduces the need for extensive land clearing operations. This characteristic, combined with the moderate topographical relief, makes much of the area around Quebrangulo potentially viable for solar development, with the specific site selection depending on factors such as land availability, grid connectivity, and local infrastructure access.

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.