Soure, Pará, Brazil represents an excellent location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation. Located in the tropical region near the equator, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout the year, with seasonal variations primarily driven by wet and dry periods rather than the dramatic temperature and daylight changes seen in temperate climates.

Solar Energy Production Potential

The solar energy output data for Soure demonstrates strong and reliable performance across all seasons. During winter months, the location achieves its highest productivity at 6.04 kWh per day per installed kilowatt, while spring delivers the peak performance at 6.68 kWh per day per kilowatt. Summer and autumn show slightly lower but still robust outputs of 5.12 kWh and 4.92 kWh per day per kilowatt respectively. This seasonal pattern indicates that the cooler, drier months of winter and spring provide optimal conditions for solar generation, likely due to reduced cloud cover and lower ambient temperatures that help solar panels operate more efficiently. The relatively modest variation between seasons - ranging from 4.92 to 6.68 kWh - demonstrates the location's reliability for consistent energy production.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For fixed solar panel installations in Soure, Pará, the ideal tilt angle is just 1 degree facing north. This nearly flat configuration reflects the location's proximity to the equator, where the sun passes almost directly overhead throughout the year. This minimal tilt angle maximizes total annual solar collection while simplifying installation and reducing structural requirements.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

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

• High humidity and moisture: The tropical climate brings persistent humidity that can lead to corrosion of electrical components and connections
• Heavy rainfall during wet seasons: Intense tropical downpours can reduce solar output and may cause water infiltration issues
• High ambient temperatures: Extreme heat can reduce solar panel efficiency and accelerate component degradation
• Potential for severe weather: Tropical storms and high winds may pose structural risks to solar installations

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize energy production and system longevity in Soure's challenging tropical environment, several protective measures should be implemented:

• Enhanced weatherproofing: Use marine-grade electrical enclosures and connections with superior moisture resistance ratings
• Improved ventilation: Install panels with adequate spacing and airflow to reduce operating temperatures
• Corrosion-resistant materials: Select aluminum or stainless steel mounting systems and hardware specifically designed for coastal or high-humidity environments
• Robust structural design: Engineer mounting systems to withstand high wind loads and potential storm conditions
• Regular maintenance scheduling: Implement frequent cleaning and inspection protocols to address dust, debris, and potential weather damage

Despite these environmental challenges, Soure's consistent solar resource and high energy output potential make it a very favorable location for solar PV installations when proper precautions are taken during design and installation.

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 Soure

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -0.4896, Longitude: -48.6104 (Soure, 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 1° North in Soure, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Soure, Brazil (Lat/Long -0.4896, -48.6104) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 1° 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 Soure, 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 Soure, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 1° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
16° South in Summer	7° North in Autumn	16° North in Winter	5° South 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 Soure, 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 Soure, 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 Soure, Brazil

Topographical Features of the Soure Region

The area surrounding Soure in Brazil presents a remarkably flat and low-lying landscape characteristic of the Amazon River delta region. This municipality sits on Marajó Island, the world's largest river island, positioned at the mouth of the Amazon River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. The terrain consists primarily of vast floodplains and wetlands that rarely exceed 20 meters above sea level, with much of the region sitting just a few meters above the waterline. The landscape is dominated by extensive grasslands known locally as campos, which are seasonally flooded savannas that create a mosaic of wet and dry areas throughout the year. These grasslands are interspersed with gallery forests along waterways and patches of várzea forest that can tolerate periodic flooding. The region's topography has been shaped by centuries of sediment deposition from the Amazon River system, creating fertile but waterlogged soils across much of the territory. Numerous rivers, streams, and tidal channels crisscross the landscape, creating a complex network of waterways that drain into both the Amazon River and directly into the Atlantic Ocean. The terrain shows minimal elevation variation, with gentle undulations being the most dramatic topographical features present. This flat terrain extends for hundreds of kilometers in all directions, making it one of the most consistently level regions in South America.

Optimal Locations for Large-Scale Solar Development

The relatively higher elevation areas within the Soure region would be most suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These slightly elevated zones, though still quite low in absolute terms, remain above the seasonal flood levels that affect much of Marajó Island. These areas typically consist of well-drained grasslands and former forest clearings that have been converted to pasture over the decades. The eastern and southeastern portions of the municipality generally offer better conditions for solar development due to their marginally higher elevation and better drainage characteristics. These areas experience less frequent flooding and have more stable soil conditions that would support the infrastructure required for large solar installations. The terrain in these zones remains extremely flat, which would minimize the need for extensive site preparation and grading work. Areas that have already been cleared for cattle ranching present particularly attractive opportunities for solar development. These locations have existing access roads, established property boundaries, and cleared vegetation, reducing the environmental impact and development costs associated with new solar installations. The conversion from pasture to solar farms would also avoid the need to clear additional forest areas. The proximity to existing electrical infrastructure along the main transportation corridors connecting Soure to other parts of Marajó Island would be another important consideration. Areas near the main roads that connect to the ferry terminals and regional power distribution networks would offer advantages in terms of grid connection costs and maintenance access. Locations that maintain adequate distance from the extensive wetland areas and permanent water bodies would be essential for any large-scale solar development. These buffer zones would help protect sensitive ecosystems while ensuring that solar installations remain on stable, well-drained ground throughout the year.

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.