Suzano, Brazil, located at latitude -23.6069 and longitude -46.3056 in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers a relatively consistent environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location provides good solar potential across all seasons, though with some notable seasonal variation.

Seasonal Solar Production

The solar energy production in Suzano demonstrates a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer months yield the highest energy output at 6.05kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.32kWh/day, while autumn provides a respectable 5.07kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest production at 4.15kWh/day, but still maintains a reasonable output.

This seasonal variation is less dramatic than in locations further from the equator, making Suzano a fairly reliable location for year-round solar energy production. The difference between the best and worst seasons is less than 2kWh/day per installed kilowatt, indicating relatively stable production throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed solar panel installations in Suzano, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 22 degrees facing North. This specific angle has been calculated based on the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, weighted by the potential daily PV production at this site.

This northward orientation is typical for Southern Hemisphere installations, allowing panels to capture maximum sunlight throughout the year as the sun's position shifts seasonally.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Suzano:

• Seasonal rainfall: The region experiences a rainy season that can temporarily reduce solar output due to cloud cover. Installing panels with high performance in diffuse light conditions can help mitigate this issue.
• Urban air pollution: Being in the greater São Paulo metropolitan area, Suzano can experience periods of reduced air quality that may slightly diminish solar radiation reaching panels. Regular cleaning maintenance becomes especially important in this environment.
• Humidity and dust: The subtropical climate brings humidity that, combined with dust, can create a film on panels that reduces efficiency. Implementing an appropriate cleaning schedule and potentially using hydrophobic coatings on panels can help maintain optimal performance.

Despite these considerations, Suzano remains a favorable location for solar PV installations, with preventative measures like proper panel angle, regular maintenance, and quality equipment selection able to address most environmental challenges effectively.

Note: The Southern Sub Tropics extend from -23.5° latitude South down to -35° latitude.

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 Suzano

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -23.6069, Longitude: -46.3056 (Suzano, 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 22° North in Suzano, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Suzano, Brazil (Lat/Long -23.6069, -46.3056) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 22° 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 Suzano, 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 Suzano, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 22° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
8° North in Summer	29° North in Autumn	39° North in Winter	17° 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 Suzano, 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 Suzano, 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 Suzano, Brazil

The city of Suzano, Brazil, is situated in a diverse topographical region characterized by rolling hills, valleys, and some flatter terrain. Located in the eastern part of the São Paulo metropolitan area, Suzano's landscape is a transition zone between the coastal mountains of Serra do Mar and the São Paulo plateau. The area has an average elevation of approximately 740 meters above sea level, with variations throughout the region.

Topographical Features

The terrain around Suzano features undulating hills interspersed with small valleys and water bodies. The western portions of the municipality tend to be more urbanized and developed, while the eastern sections maintain more of their natural topography with greater elevation changes. Several rivers and streams cut through the landscape, including the Tietê River basin tributaries, creating natural drainage systems throughout the area. The Serra do Itapeti mountain range influences the northern portions of the region, creating more pronounced elevation changes. This mountainous area contains some of the remaining Atlantic Forest fragments, which are important ecological reserves. The southern portions of Suzano generally feature gentler slopes and more accessible terrain.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas near Suzano for large-scale solar photovoltaic development, several factors related to topography must be considered. The ideal locations would combine relatively flat terrain, good solar exposure, minimal shading from surrounding hills, accessibility for construction and maintenance, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. The southeastern portions of the Suzano region offer promising potential for solar PV development. These areas feature more consistent, gentler slopes with good exposure to the northern sky (important for solar collection in the Southern Hemisphere). The plateaus and flatter hilltops throughout this region provide natural clearings that could accommodate larger solar installations without extensive grading or earthwork. Areas to the northeast of Suzano's urban center also present opportunities, particularly where agricultural land or cleared areas already exist. These locations typically have moderate slopes and fewer tall forest stands that might otherwise create shading issues for solar arrays.

Topographical Challenges

Despite the potential, developers would need to navigate several topographical challenges. The more steeply inclined areas, particularly in the northern sections near Serra do Itapeti, would be less suitable due to the increased costs of site preparation and the potential environmental impacts of clearing and grading. Additionally, the numerous waterways and their associated floodplains would need to be avoided, as these areas present both environmental sensitivity and potential flooding risks. The region's variable topography means that careful site selection is essential. Ideally, developers would target the gently sloping hillsides and plateau areas that offer natural drainage without being too steep for construction. These areas would minimize the need for extensive earthwork while maximizing solar exposure throughout the day. In conclusion, while Suzano's topography presents a mix of challenges and opportunities for solar PV development, the southeastern and northeastern portions of the region offer the most promising conditions when considering the balance of topographical factors, accessibility, and potential environmental impact.

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.