Roma, Bahia, Brazil, located at -12.9471, -38.5069, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this location benefits from relatively consistent sunlight patterns, with seasonal variations primarily defined by wet and dry periods rather than dramatic changes in daylight duration.

Seasonal Solar Production

The energy output from solar PV systems in Roma demonstrates good year-round potential with some seasonal variation. Summer provides the highest production at 6.19kWh per day for each kilowatt installed, followed closely by spring with 5.98kWh/day. Autumn maintains solid performance at 5.59kWh/day, while winter shows the lowest output at 4.53kWh/day per kilowatt of installed capacity.

These figures indicate that Roma maintains relatively strong solar production even during its least productive season, with winter still delivering over 73% of the peak summer output. This consistent performance makes the location suitable for year-round solar energy generation, with particularly favorable conditions from spring through summer.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Roma, Bahia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 12 degrees facing North. This specific angle optimizes the capture of available sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's tropical position and the Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Roma:

• Tropical rainfall patterns, particularly during the wet season, may reduce solar exposure on some days
• High humidity levels can create atmospheric haze that slightly diminishes solar irradiance
• Potential dust accumulation during dry periods can gradually decrease panel efficiency

Mitigation Strategies

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented during installation and maintenance:

Installing panels at the recommended 12-degree tilt helps with natural cleaning during rainfall events. Implementing regular cleaning schedules, especially during dry seasons, prevents dust accumulation. Using high-quality panels with anti-reflective coatings improves performance in high-humidity conditions.

Additionally, incorporating weather-resistant components and proper drainage systems around the installation helps manage the effects of tropical rainfall. Some installations may benefit from automated cleaning systems in this region to maintain optimal performance with minimal maintenance requirements.

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 Roma

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -12.9471, Longitude: -38.5069 (Roma, 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 Roma, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Roma, Brazil (Lat/Long -12.9471, -38.5069) 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 Roma, 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 Roma, 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
3° South in Summer	19° North in Autumn	29° North in Winter	7° 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 Roma, 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 Roma, 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 Roma, Brazil

The region surrounding Roma, Brazil, which is situated in the northeastern part of the country, presents a diverse topographical landscape characterized by a mixture of coastal plains, rolling hills, and more rugged terrain as one moves inland. Located near the Atlantic coast in the state of Bahia, this area forms part of the Brazilian Highlands, a vast geographic region covering much of eastern Brazil. Near the coast, the terrain is relatively flat, with coastal plains gradually giving way to gently undulating hills as one moves westward. These hills become more pronounced further inland, creating a varied landscape with elevations generally increasing as the distance from the coast grows.

Soil and Vegetation

The soil composition in the region varies considerably, with more fertile areas found in valleys and less productive, sometimes rocky terrain in elevated locations. The natural vegetation transitions from coastal Atlantic Forest remnants to more drought-resistant caatinga (scrubland) vegetation as one moves inland, reflecting the changing rainfall patterns across the region. Water features include several rivers and streams that have carved valleys through the landscape over millennia, creating natural divisions in the topography. These watercourses generally flow eastward toward the Atlantic Ocean.

Ideal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas near Roma present favorable conditions. The inland regions, particularly those with gently sloping terrain facing north, offer excellent potential for solar energy capture. These areas typically have: 1. More consistent sunshine compared to coastal regions which may experience more frequent cloud cover 2. Less valuable agricultural land, making conversion to solar farms more economically viable 3. Reduced likelihood of flooding compared to lowland areas 4. Accessible but not prime real estate, balancing land cost considerations with proximity to existing infrastructure The elevated plateaus several kilometers inland from Roma provide particularly promising locations for solar development. These areas offer natural advantages including good drainage, reduced morning fog compared to valley locations, and minimal shadowing from surrounding landscape features. Areas to avoid would include steep slopes where installation would be technically challenging and expensive, flood-prone river valleys, and locations with significant forest cover that would require extensive clearing.

Infrastructure Considerations

The existing road network around Roma provides variable access to potential solar development sites. Secondary roads branch out from main highways, though some promising areas would require additional access infrastructure. The regional electricity transmission network is moderately developed, with connection points available at varying distances from optimal solar installation sites. Rural areas west and southwest of Roma present perhaps the most balanced combination of favorable topography, land availability, and infrastructure proximity, making them strong candidates for large-scale solar PV development while minimizing environmental impact and maximizing energy production potential.

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.