Solar Energy Potential in Surubim, Pernambuco, Brazil

Surubim, Pernambuco, Brazil, located at latitude -7.8696 and longitude -35.7517, offers excellent conditions for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight patterns, with its seasonal variations primarily defined by wet and dry periods rather than significant changes in daylight duration. The solar electricity production potential in Surubim demonstrates strong year-round performance. During spring, the location achieves its peak output at 6.80 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer follows with a robust 6.25 kWh/day, while autumn sees a slight decrease to 5.57 kWh/day. Winter represents the lowest production period but still maintains a respectable 5.11 kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Surubim, Pernambuco, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 7 degrees facing North. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture throughout the year, accounting for the location's proximity to the equator and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Seasonal Considerations

Spring and summer represent the prime seasons for solar generation in Surubim, Pernambuco, with the highest daily production rates. While there is some reduction during autumn and winter, the decrease is relatively modest compared to locations at higher latitudes. This consistent performance makes Surubim an excellent candidate for year-round solar energy production with less pronounced seasonal fluctuations.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several environmental factors may impact solar production in Surubim:

• Heavy rainfall during the wet season can temporarily reduce solar output due to cloud cover and direct precipitation on panels.
• Dust accumulation is a concern, particularly during dry periods, as it can gradually diminish panel efficiency.
• High humidity levels typical of tropical regions may accelerate degradation of system components if not properly protected.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several preventative measures are recommended:

• Install self-cleaning panels or implement regular cleaning schedules, especially after the dry season when dust accumulation is highest.
• Use corrosion-resistant mounting hardware and properly sealed electrical components to withstand the high humidity environment.
• Consider slightly oversizing the system to compensate for reduced output during the rainier periods.
• Implement robust lightning protection systems, as tropical regions often experience frequent thunderstorms.

With these considerations addressed, Surubim presents an excellent location for solar PV installations, offering strong and consistent energy production throughout the year with relatively minor seasonal variations.

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 Surubim

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -7.8696, Longitude: -35.7517 (Surubim, 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 7° North in Surubim, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Surubim, Brazil (Lat/Long -7.8696, -35.7517) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 7° 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 Surubim, 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 Surubim, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 7° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
8° South in Summer	14° North in Autumn	24° North in Winter	2° 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 Surubim, 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 Surubim, 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 Surubim, Brazil

The region around Surubim, Brazil is characterized by a gently undulating topography typical of the northeastern Brazilian interior. Located in the state of Pernambuco, Surubim sits in what is known as the Agreste region, a transitional zone between the humid coastal area (Zona da Mata) and the drier Sertão to the west. The landscape features rolling hills with moderate elevation changes, generally ranging between 300 and 500 meters above sea level. The terrain consists primarily of rounded hills separated by shallow valleys, creating a wavelike appearance across the landscape. These topographical features have been shaped by centuries of erosion in a region that experiences distinct wet and dry seasons. The natural vegetation is predominantly Caatinga, a type of dry forest and scrubland adapted to semi-arid conditions, though much of the native vegetation has been altered for agricultural purposes.

Hydrography

The area's drainage system is part of the broader Capibaribe River basin, with several smaller seasonal streams crossing the region. These watercourses typically carry significant flow during the rainy season but may become reduced or completely dry during extended drought periods. The undulating terrain creates natural drainage pathways that have influenced human settlement patterns and agricultural development in the region.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas near Surubim most suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several topographical factors come into play. The most promising locations would be the broader, flatter hilltops and plateaus that offer: 1. Relatively level terrain that minimizes grading costs during construction 2. Elevated positions that typically experience less fog and atmospheric interference 3. Good exposure to northern sun paths (as we are in the Southern Hemisphere) The areas approximately 5-10 kilometers to the southwest of Surubim present particularly favorable conditions, featuring more extensive plateau-like formations with minimal slope variations. These locations would require less site preparation and allow for more efficient array layouts. The gently sloping terrain in this direction also tends to have sparser vegetation and less intensive agricultural use, potentially reducing land-use conflicts.

Topographical Considerations

While the hills provide good exposure to sunlight, care must be taken to avoid areas with excessive slopes exceeding 15 degrees, as these would increase installation costs and complexity. The shallow valleys, while offering flat terrain, may experience more morning fog and humidity, potentially reducing overall generation efficiency. The northeastern areas toward Vertentes and southern regions toward Santa Maria do Cambucá also present viable options, with their mix of open plateaus and gentle slopes. These areas benefit from good drainage characteristics that reduce flooding risk during the rainy season, an important consideration for maintaining consistent operation of solar installations. The natural contours of the land also offer opportunities for strategic placement of supporting infrastructure, such as maintenance facilities in lower areas and transmission connections along existing transportation corridors that follow the region's natural topographical features.

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.