Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, located at latitude -5.0854 and longitude -42.803, presents an excellent opportunity for solar energy generation. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight throughout the year, with seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods than temperature variations.

The solar energy potential in Teresina is impressive across all seasons. Winter and spring offer the highest output, with 6.64 kWh/day and 6.65 kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar capacity. Autumn follows closely with 6.14 kWh/day, while summer, despite being slightly lower, still provides a substantial 5.58 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Teresina is an ideal location for year-round solar energy production. The relatively small variation between seasons suggests consistent energy generation throughout the year, with winter and spring being particularly productive periods.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Teresina, Piauí, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 6 degrees North. This slight tilt helps optimize energy capture across seasons, accounting for the sun's position throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Teresina's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

1. High temperatures: Teresina experiences hot weather, which can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency. Using heat-resistant panels and ensuring proper ventilation during installation can mitigate this issue.
2. Dust and pollution: Urban areas may experience dust and air pollution, which can accumulate on panels. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help maintain optimal performance.
3. Rainy season: Teresina has a distinct wet season, typically from January to May. While rain can help clean panels, heavy cloud cover may temporarily reduce energy production. Installing panels at the optimal angle can help maximize light capture even during overcast periods.

By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar energy systems in Teresina can achieve high levels of efficiency and productivity 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 Teresina

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -5.0854, Longitude: -42.803 (Teresina, 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 6° North in Teresina, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Teresina, Brazil (Lat/Long -5.0854, -42.803) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 6° 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 Teresina, 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 Teresina, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 6° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
11° South in Summer	12° North in Autumn	21° North in Winter	0° 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 Teresina, 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 Teresina, 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 Teresina, Brazil

The topography around Teresina, Brazil, located at latitude -5.0854 and longitude -42.803, is characterized by a relatively flat landscape with some gentle undulations. The city itself is situated in the Parnaíba River valley, nestled between two major rivers: the Parnaíba to the east and the Poti to the west. This location provides Teresina with a unique geographical setting, surrounded by lush vegetation and fertile soil. The terrain in the immediate vicinity of Teresina is predominantly low-lying, with elevations ranging from about 60 to 100 meters above sea level. As you move away from the city center, the landscape gradually becomes more varied, with small hills and plateaus dotting the horizon. The region is part of the larger Meio-Norte (Mid-North) area of Brazil, which serves as a transition zone between the Amazon rainforest to the northwest and the drier Caatinga region to the southeast.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Teresina that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have abundant sunshine, minimal shading, and relatively flat terrain to simplify construction and maximize energy production. The areas to the east and south of Teresina show particular promise for solar PV development. These regions feature expansive, gently rolling plains with fewer trees and obstacles that could cast shadows on solar panels. The climate in this part of Brazil is characterized by high levels of solar radiation throughout the year, making it an excellent candidate for solar energy production. Specifically, the municipalities of Altos, Demerval Lobão, and Monsenhor Gil, located southeast of Teresina, offer favorable conditions for large-scale solar installations. These areas have ample open space, good road access for transportation of equipment, and are close enough to Teresina to facilitate grid connection and energy distribution. Another promising region lies to the northeast of Teresina, encompassing parts of União and Miguel Alves. This area features vast stretches of flat land with minimal forestation, providing ideal conditions for solar farm development. The proximity to the Parnaíba River could also be advantageous for cooling systems if needed. It's worth noting that while these areas show potential, any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed environmental and technical assessments to ensure its viability and minimize ecological impact. The semi-arid climate of the region means that water conservation and dust management would be important considerations in the planning and operation of solar installations.

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.