Rolim de Moura, Brazil, located in the western part of the country, offers consistently strong potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location experiences relatively stable solar radiation patterns across seasons, making it a favorable site for photovoltaic (PV) installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production at this location shows remarkable consistency across all seasons. Winter actually provides the highest daily output at 5.78 kWh per installed kilowatt, closely followed by spring with 5.72 kWh/day. Summer and autumn show slightly lower but still excellent production at 5.26 and 5.41 kWh/day respectively.

This pattern differs from locations in higher latitudes where winter production typically drops significantly. In Rolim de Moura, the winter months (June-August) actually represent peak solar generation time, likely due to clearer skies during the dry season.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Rolim de Moura, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 12 degrees facing North. This relatively shallow angle reflects the location's proximity to the equator, where the sun passes nearly overhead throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially affect solar production at this location:

• Heavy rainfall during the wet season (roughly October to April) may temporarily reduce solar output due to cloud cover.
• The Amazon region's high humidity levels can create morning fog that dissipates as the day progresses.
• Dust accumulation during the dry season can reduce panel efficiency if not regularly cleaned.
• The region's biodiversity means vegetation growth can create shading issues if not managed.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production in Rolim de Moura, several installation practices are recommended. Installing panels with sufficient elevation helps prevent vegetation shading. Regular cleaning schedules should be implemented, particularly during the dry season when dust accumulation is highest. Additionally, selecting high-quality panels with good performance in high-temperature environments is essential, as tropical heat can reduce standard panel efficiency.

Despite these considerations, the consistent year-round solar radiation makes Rolim de Moura an excellent location for solar energy investments, with annual average daily production exceeding 5.5 kWh per installed kilowatt.

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 Rolim De Moura

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -11.7256, Longitude: -61.7781 (Rolim De Moura, 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 12° North in Rolim De Moura, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rolim De Moura, Brazil (Lat/Long -11.7256, -61.7781) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 12° 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 Rolim De Moura, 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 Rolim De Moura, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 12° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
4° South in Summer	18° North in Autumn	27° North in Winter	6° 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 Rolim De Moura, 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 Rolim De Moura, 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 Rolim De Moura, Brazil

The landscape surrounding Rolim de Moura in Rondônia state, Brazil presents a transitional terrain between the Amazon Basin and the Brazilian Highlands. Situated in the western portion of Brazil near the Bolivian border, this region features gently rolling hills with elevations typically ranging between 200-300 meters above sea level. The area was once densely covered by Amazon rainforest, though significant portions have been cleared for agricultural development since the 1970s.

Topographical Features

Rolim de Moura lies in what geographers call the Rondônia-Eastern Mato Grosso plateau, characterized by undulating terrain with occasional more pronounced hills. The region experiences a gradual elevation increase moving from north to south. Several small rivers and streams cut through the landscape, creating shallow valleys between the rolling hills. The predominant soil types include latosols and podzolic soils, which have developed under the tropical climate conditions. The natural vegetation transitions between dense tropical rainforest and more open woodland formations. However, human activity has significantly altered the original landscape, with much of the area now featuring a patchwork of agricultural lands, pastures, secondary forest growth, and remaining forest fragments.

Potential for Solar Development

When considering areas near Rolim de Moura that might be suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several factors merit consideration beyond just the topography. The ideal locations would combine relatively flat terrain, minimal forest cover, good access to existing infrastructure, and appropriate land-use classifications. The cleared agricultural lands to the south and southeast of Rolim de Moura present some of the most promising areas for solar PV development. These regions feature more extensive open spaces with gentle slopes, reducing the need for significant land preparation. The agricultural areas along the BR-364 highway corridor also offer advantages in terms of existing transportation infrastructure for construction and maintenance. Areas to avoid would include the more densely forested regions to the north and northwest, where development would require extensive clearing of remaining forest cover, potentially creating environmental concerns and regulatory challenges. Similarly, the more rugged terrain found in isolated pockets throughout the region would require costly grading and preparation.

Considerations for Development

The seasonal climate pattern in the region presents both opportunities and challenges for solar energy production. The dry season, typically from May to September, offers optimal conditions for solar energy generation with clearer skies. The wet season brings increased cloud cover and humidity, which can affect solar efficiency. Land that has already been converted to agricultural use presents the path of least resistance for development, avoiding the environmental and regulatory complications associated with further deforestation. Additionally, areas with good drainage are preferable to minimize erosion risks during the intense rainfall periods. The relatively flat plateaus found throughout the region's agricultural belt provide natural advantages for solar farm construction, requiring minimal earthwork and offering good exposure to the sun throughout the day. These areas, particularly those within reasonable proximity to existing transmission infrastructure, represent the most practical targets for large-scale solar development near Rolim de Moura.

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

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