Touros, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil represents an excellent location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation. Located in the tropical region at coordinates -5.2611, -35.6046, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout most of the year, with seasonal variations characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than dramatic changes in solar availability.

Solar Energy Production Potential

The solar energy output data for Touros demonstrates strong and reliable generation capacity across all seasons. Spring emerges as the most productive season with 7.16 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, closely followed by summer at 6.88 kWh per day per kW. Even during the less optimal seasons, production remains robust with autumn generating 6.16 kWh per day per kW and winter producing 5.77 kWh per day per kW. This seasonal pattern indicates that the best times for solar generation occur during spring and summer months, though the relatively small variation between seasons means the location provides dependable solar energy production year-round. The difference between the highest and lowest producing seasons is only about 1.4 kWh per day per kW, demonstrating the consistency that makes tropical locations attractive for solar installations. For optimal energy capture, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 4 degrees facing north. This angle has been calculated to maximize total year-round solar production by accounting for the sun's elevation angles throughout the year, weighted by solar irradiance data and considering Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar energy production in Touros and require consideration during installation planning. The tropical climate brings significant rainfall during wet seasons, which can reduce solar output through cloud cover and atmospheric moisture. While rain helps keep panels clean, extended cloudy periods will decrease energy generation. Installing panels with proper drainage systems and slight tilting helps prevent water accumulation and ensures efficient runoff. High humidity levels common in coastal tropical areas can lead to corrosion of electrical components and mounting hardware over time. Using marine-grade stainless steel mounting systems, weatherproof electrical enclosures, and components specifically rated for high-humidity environments helps combat this issue. Salt air from the nearby Atlantic Ocean poses another challenge, as salt deposits can accumulate on panel surfaces and corrode metal components. Regular cleaning schedules and anti-corrosive coatings on mounting hardware are essential preventative measures.

Installation Recommendations

To maximize energy production despite these environmental challenges, several installation strategies prove beneficial:

• Use corrosion-resistant mounting systems designed for coastal environments
• Install panels with adequate spacing for air circulation to reduce moisture buildup
• Implement regular cleaning schedules to remove salt deposits and organic matter
• Choose inverters and electrical components with high ingress protection ratings
• Design proper grounding systems to handle tropical storm conditions

The intense tropical sun can also cause higher operating temperatures, which slightly reduces panel efficiency. Ensuring proper ventilation behind panels and selecting temperature-resilient panel technologies helps maintain optimal performance. Despite these considerations, Touros remains a highly favorable location for solar energy generation. The consistent solar resource, combined with proper installation techniques that address local environmental factors, makes this location well-suited for reliable renewable energy production 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 Touros

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -5.2611, Longitude: -35.6046 (Touros, 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 4° North in Touros, Brazil

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Touros, Brazil (Lat/Long -5.2611, -35.6046) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 4° 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 Touros, 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 Touros, Brazil. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 4° 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	11° North in Autumn	21° North in Winter	1° 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 Touros, 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 Touros, 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 Touros, Brazil

Topographical Features of the Touros Region

Touros is situated along Brazil's northeastern Atlantic coastline in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, positioned where the continent extends furthest eastward into the ocean. The topography of this region is characterized by relatively flat to gently undulating terrain, with elevations rarely exceeding 100 meters above sea level. The landscape consists primarily of coastal plains that extend inland from the Atlantic shore, creating an expansive area of low-relief terrain that stretches across much of the surrounding region.

The immediate coastal zone features sandy beaches backed by dune systems and coastal vegetation typical of Brazil's northeastern shoreline. Moving inland from the coast, the terrain transitions into broad, flat expanses punctuated by occasional low hills and shallow valleys. These plains are part of the larger Potiguar Basin, a geological formation that creates favorable conditions for development due to its stable, relatively level ground.

The region experiences a semi-arid climate with sparse vegetation consisting mainly of caatinga scrubland and patches of Atlantic forest remnants. The landscape is dotted with seasonal streams and small rivers that flow toward the Atlantic, creating minor topographical variations in the otherwise flat terrain. Rock outcrops and small escarpments occasionally break the monotony of the plains, but these features are generally modest in scale and do not significantly alter the overall flat character of the region.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The expansive flat plains extending westward and southwestward from Touros present the most suitable terrain for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These areas offer several key advantages, including minimal slope variations that reduce construction complexity and grading requirements. The stable geological conditions of the coastal plains provide excellent foundation support for solar mounting systems while minimizing the risk of ground movement or subsidence.

Areas located approximately 10 to 30 kilometers inland from the immediate coastal zone represent particularly attractive locations for solar development. These inland plains avoid the potential complications of coastal salt spray and extreme weather events while maintaining the favorable flat topography. The terrain in these areas typically exhibits slopes of less than 5 percent, which is ideal for optimizing solar panel orientation and minimizing shading between panel rows.

The region south and southwest of Touros, extending toward the municipalities of São Bento do Norte and Caiçara do Norte, contains extensive tracts of relatively unused land with minimal existing development. This area combines the advantageous flat topography with lower land costs and fewer potential conflicts with existing land uses. The sparse vegetation and low population density in these areas also reduce environmental and social complications that might arise during project development.

Transportation infrastructure accessibility represents another important consideration for solar development in the region. Areas with proximity to existing roads and transmission infrastructure, particularly those connected to the BR-101 highway system, offer logistical advantages for construction and ongoing maintenance operations. The flat terrain throughout much of the region also facilitates the construction of access roads and transmission lines needed to connect solar installations to the electrical grid.

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.