Quilombo, Santa Catarina, Brazil, located in the Southern Sub Tropics at coordinates -26.7291, -52.6785, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with notable seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows significant seasonal fluctuation. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 7.02 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it the peak season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best period with 6.07 kWh per day per kW, while autumn drops to 5.23 kWh per day per kW. Winter presents the most challenging conditions, producing only 3.94 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. This seasonal pattern means that solar installations in Quilombo will generate nearly 78% more electricity during summer compared to winter months. The location experiences its most productive solar period from approximately October through March, with December and January likely representing peak generation months.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For fixed panel installations at this location, the ideal angle to tilt solar panels is 24 degrees North to maximize total year-round production. This angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles at the specific latitude, determining optimal panel tilt for each day, and weighting these angles according to solar irradiance data to achieve the best annual average performance.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors at Quilombo could potentially impact solar energy production:

• Subtropical humidity and moisture: The Southern Sub Tropical climate typically brings high humidity levels, which can lead to moisture accumulation on solar panels and reduced light transmission.
• Seasonal rainfall patterns: Subtropical regions often experience distinct wet and dry seasons, with heavy rainfall potentially reducing solar output during certain periods.
• Temperature fluctuations: While solar panels need sunlight, excessive heat can actually reduce their efficiency, and the subtropical climate may present challenging temperature conditions.
• Potential for severe weather: Subtropical locations can experience intense storms, hail, or strong winds that may damage solar installations.

Preventative Measures for Enhanced Performance

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

• Self-cleaning panel surfaces: Install panels with hydrophobic coatings or self-cleaning glass to minimize the impact of humidity and rainfall on panel cleanliness.
• Adequate ventilation spacing: Ensure proper air circulation around panels to prevent overheating and maintain optimal operating temperatures.
• Robust mounting systems: Use reinforced mounting structures designed to withstand potential severe weather events common in subtropical climates.
• Regular maintenance scheduling: Implement frequent cleaning and inspection routines, particularly during and after wet seasons when debris and moisture accumulation are most problematic.
• Drainage considerations: Design installations with proper water drainage to prevent standing water around panel mounting areas.

Despite these challenges, Quilombo's location still offers reasonable solar potential, particularly during the warmer months. With proper installation techniques and maintenance practices, solar PV systems can perform effectively at this location while managing the environmental factors that could otherwise impede energy production.

Note: The Southern Sub Tropics extend from -23.5° latitude South down to -35° latitude.

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 Quilombo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -26.7291, Longitude: -52.6785 (Quilombo, 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 24° North in Quilombo, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Quilombo, Brazil (Lat/Long -26.7291, -52.6785) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 24° 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 Quilombo, 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 Quilombo, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 24° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
11° North in Summer	32° North in Autumn	42° North in Winter	19° 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 Quilombo, 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 Quilombo, 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 Quilombo, Brazil

Topographical Features of the Quilombo Region

The area surrounding Quilombo in Santa Catarina, Brazil is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively modest elevation changes typical of the southern Brazilian plateau region. This landscape forms part of the broader Planalto Meridional, where the terrain consists primarily of undulating countryside with gradual slopes rather than steep mountainous formations. The elevation in this region generally ranges from moderate to low-lying areas, creating a landscape that is neither dramatically mountainous nor completely flat. The topography features a series of gentle ridges and shallow valleys that have been carved by centuries of water erosion. These natural formations create a pattern of rounded hilltops separated by modest depressions, with most slopes maintaining relatively gentle gradients. The area benefits from good natural drainage due to this rolling terrain, which prevents water from pooling while avoiding the challenges that would come with steeper mountainous conditions.

Climate and Environmental Considerations

The regional climate is subtropical, influenced by the area's position in southern Brazil's interior. This creates conditions with distinct seasonal variations, including warm summers and cooler winters. The rolling topography allows for good air circulation across the landscape, which helps moderate temperature extremes and contributes to relatively stable weather patterns throughout much of the year. Vegetation in the region consists primarily of mixed grasslands and agricultural areas, with some forested sections along waterways and in more protected valleys. The combination of moderate rainfall and well-draining soils has made this area particularly suitable for farming, which is evident in the extensive agricultural development throughout the region.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations in this region would be the gently sloping hillsides that face north, taking advantage of Brazil's southern hemisphere position where northern exposure maximizes solar collection. These areas offer several advantages including natural drainage, reduced risk of flooding, and typically fewer obstacles from existing vegetation or structures. The broader hilltops and ridge areas present excellent opportunities for solar development, as they tend to have fewer trees and often consist of open grassland or agricultural areas. These elevated positions also benefit from reduced shading from surrounding landscape features and generally experience better air movement, which can help maintain optimal operating temperatures for solar panels. Areas with south-facing slopes would be less ideal due to reduced solar exposure, while the valley bottoms, despite being flatter, may experience morning fog or mist that could reduce solar collection efficiency. The moderate slopes found throughout much of the region are actually beneficial for solar installations, as they can be oriented to optimize sun exposure while providing natural drainage for rainwater runoff. Agricultural areas on the gentler slopes could potentially be converted to solar use, particularly those with less productive soils or areas where farming has become less economically viable. The existing road infrastructure serving the agricultural community would also facilitate access for construction and maintenance of solar installations.

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.