Solar Energy Potential in Sorriso, Brazil

Sorriso, Brazil, located at latitude -12.6817 and longitude -55.6995, offers excellent conditions for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight patterns with relatively minor seasonal variations in solar energy production. The solar energy output at this location shows remarkable stability across all meteorological seasons. During summer, each kilowatt of installed solar capacity produces approximately 5.74 kWh of electricity per day. Autumn sees only a slight decrease to 5.69 kWh/day. Interestingly, winter actually provides the highest output at 6.17 kWh/day, while spring follows closely at 6.06 kWh/day. This pattern indicates that Sorriso's best solar generation period occurs during the winter and spring months. The higher winter production may seem counterintuitive, but this is typical in tropical locations where winter often means clearer skies and less cloud cover compared to the summer rainy season.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximum year-round energy production, fixed solar panels in Sorriso should be tilted at 13 degrees facing North. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture throughout the year based on the location's position relative to the sun's path.

Environmental Considerations

Despite the favorable conditions, several environmental factors may affect solar production in Sorriso:

• Seasonal rainfall: The region experiences a distinct wet season (typically October to April) which can temporarily reduce solar output due to increased cloud cover.
• Dust accumulation: As an agricultural center in Mato Grosso state, Sorriso can experience significant dust, especially during the dry season when farming activities and wind can create airborne particles.
• High temperatures: Extreme heat can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production in Sorriso, several practical steps can be taken: Implement regular cleaning schedules, particularly during the dry season, to prevent dust buildup on panels. Consider automated cleaning systems for larger installations. Use solar panels rated for high-temperature performance, as they will maintain better efficiency during hot days. Ensure adequate airflow beneath panels to help with cooling. Install panels with the recommended 13-degree northward tilt, and consider tracking systems for larger commercial installations to further increase energy capture. Overall, Sorriso presents near-ideal conditions for solar energy generation with its consistent year-round solar radiation and relatively minor seasonal variations. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in this location can provide reliable renewable energy throughout the year.

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 Sorriso

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -12.6817, Longitude: -55.6995 (Sorriso, 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 13° North in Sorriso, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sorriso, Brazil (Lat/Long -12.6817, -55.6995) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 13° 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 Sorriso, 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 Sorriso, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 13° 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	28° 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 Sorriso, 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 Sorriso, 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 Sorriso, Brazil

Sorriso, located in the state of Mato Grosso in central Brazil, sits within a relatively flat to gently undulating landscape characteristic of the Brazilian cerrado and transitional Amazon region. The terrain around Sorriso primarily consists of expansive plateaus with elevations ranging between 300-400 meters above sea level. This topographical profile creates a largely unobstructed horizon in many directions, with minimal shadowing effects from natural features. The municipality occupies part of the vast Brazilian Central Plateau, featuring predominantly flat terrain with occasional rolling hills. The landscape has been significantly transformed by agricultural development, with much of the native vegetation cleared for large-scale soybean, corn, and cotton cultivation. These agricultural clearings have created extensive open spaces across the region.

Hydrological Features

The area is traversed by several rivers that are part of the Amazon Basin watershed, including the Rio Teles Pires to the east of the urban center. These waterways have carved shallow valleys into the otherwise level terrain, creating some minor topographical variations. Small streams and tributaries create natural divisions in the landscape but do not significantly impact the overall flat character of the region.

Soil and Surface Characteristics

The soils around Sorriso are predominantly latosols (oxisols), which are deeply weathered, well-drained soils typical of tropical regions. These soils support the extensive agricultural activities in the region but are also suitable for construction projects including solar installations. The relatively stable ground conditions throughout much of the area provide good foundation opportunities for solar panel mounting systems.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

The most suitable areas for large-scale solar photovoltaic development near Sorriso would be the extensive agricultural plateaus to the north and west of the urban center. These locations offer several advantageous characteristics: The flat terrain requires minimal grading and site preparation, reducing construction costs and environmental disruption. The agricultural plateaus typically have excellent drainage characteristics, minimizing flood risks that could damage solar infrastructure. These areas have already been cleared of native vegetation for farming, potentially reducing environmental impact and simplifying permitting processes. The northeastern sector of the municipality, where the terrain maintains its plateau character but features slightly less productive agricultural land, presents particularly promising opportunities. These areas combine favorable topography with proximity to existing transmission infrastructure that connects to Brazil's national grid. Areas to avoid would include the riparian zones along the Rio Teles Pires and other waterways, which may be subject to seasonal flooding and have greater ecological sensitivity. Additionally, any remaining fragments of native cerrado vegetation should be preserved for biodiversity conservation. The southwestern portions of the municipality also offer suitable conditions, with extensive flat areas that receive consistent solar exposure throughout the year. The existing road network in this region provides good accessibility for construction and maintenance operations, an important logistical consideration for utility-scale solar development.

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.