Solar energy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Average irradiation 5.96 kWh/m²/day · ~1740 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Addis Ababa (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6.17 | 15.4 | 150 |
| Feb | 6.59 | 16.9 | 160 |
| Mar | 6.57 | 17.8 | 160 |
| Apr | 6.41 | 17.7 | 156 |
| May | 6.34 | 18.1 | 154 |
| Jun | 5.80 | 17.7 | 141 |
| Jul | 4.90 | 15.9 | 119 |
| Aug | 4.77 | 15.6 | 116 |
| Sep | 5.59 | 15.5 | 136 |
| Oct | 6.29 | 14.4 | 153 |
| Nov | 6.12 | 14.1 | 149 |
| Dec | 6.02 | 14.1 | 147 |
Solar potential of Addis Ababa explained
Addis Ababa receives an average of 5.96 kilowatt-hours of solar energy per square metre per day, measured over four decades of satellite observation. In practical terms, every kilowatt-peak of installed PV capacity yields about 1740 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Addis Ababa among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Addis Ababa?
With 5.96 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Addis Ababa produces roughly 1740 kWh per year. That is an excellent solar resource — payback periods are typically among the shortest worldwide.
How much electricity would a 5 kW system produce in Addis Ababa?
Approximately 9,000 kWh per year — enough to cover a large share of a typical household's consumption.
What data is this based on?
Long-term satellite observations from NASA POWER (1981–present) and the PVGIS SARAH3 database, assuming a performance ratio of 80%.
Compare with nearby cities
Cairo (5.9) · Casablanca (5.3) · Lagos (4.6) · Nairobi (5.5) · Johannesburg (5.5) · Cape Town (5.3) · all cities →