10 Years of Performance Findings at the Mineirão Stadium Solar Photovoltaic System
Abstract
This study evaluates ten years (2014-2024) of operational data from the 1.42 MWp photovoltaic (PV) system at Mineirão Stadium, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Using 3D shading simulations and empirical inverter outputs, we quantified sectional shading impacts, with south-facing segments showing up to 12% obstruction but system-wide energy losses limited to 2.8% annually. A -1.6%/year system degradation rate was derived using satellite irradiance and daily performance ratio methods, after excluding anomalies such as a 2020 transformer failure. Module-level IV curves confirmed lower DC-side degradation, highlighting inverter and soiling contributions. Maintenance challenges—particularly panel cleaning at height—were addressed via robotic systems. Results validate predictive modeling accuracy and demonstrate that urban PV retrofits in architecturally complex structures can achieve long-term performance with tailored O&M strategies, supporting scalable renewable integration in legacy infrastructure.
Keywords
solar PV, performance analysis, shading analysis, degradation, operational efficiency, urban PV