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Chile, Uruguay and Argentina recorded irradiance between 5% and 15% higher than normal in January and February due to the ongoing Amazon drought and circulation changes, according to Solcasts new weekly update for pv magazine
The Latam region has started 2024 by far exceeding its average solar production performance, according to analysis carried out using the Solcast API, a DNV company. The long-term analysis showed that, during January and February, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina recorded irradiance between 5% and 15% higher than normal. Brazil as a whole was around 20% above normal, although eastern solar production regions had mixed results.
The Amazon drought and circulation changes that pushed weather fronts further south than usual were responsible for excess sunlight in South America. Summer in the Amazon is typically characterized by hot, humid conditions, and afternoon thunderstorms driven by evaporation and the resulting convective clouds. With the current long-term drought, there is not enough moisture to drive this evaporation process.
sufficient humidity to drive this evaporation process, contributing to a generalized above-average irradiance.
In Central America, irradiance much higher than normal was also recorded, around 20% along the isthmus and also extending northwards, to Mexico. The sunnier skies were due to weaker-than-usual Caribbean trade winds failing to push moisture toward land. Up to 30% more irradiation than normal was recorded in some areas, including regions of equatorial Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela and Colombia.
The data, which Solcast produces from satellite data calibrated with ground measurements, show that Chile and Argentina were the sunniest places in the region during January and February, with an average of 8-10 kWh/m2/day. The highest total irradiance was recorded in Chile, continuing the pattern of seeing some of the highest irradiances in the world.
Solcast produces these figures by globally monitoring clouds and aerosols with a resolution of 1 to 2 km, using satellite data and proprietary AI/ML algorithms. This data is used to drive irradiance models, allowing Solcast to calculate irradiance at high resolution, with a typical bias of less than 2%, as well as cloud tracking forecasts. This data is used by more than 300 companies managing more than 150 GW of solar assets worldwide. |
