Solar energy in Arusha, Tanzania
Average irradiation 5.6 kWh/m²/day · ~1635 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Arusha (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6.31 | 23.6 | 154 |
| Feb | 6.51 | 24.0 | 158 |
| Mar | 6.15 | 23.4 | 149 |
| Apr | 5.25 | 21.9 | 128 |
| May | 4.62 | 20.3 | 112 |
| Jun | 4.43 | 19.2 | 108 |
| Jul | 4.66 | 19.1 | 113 |
| Aug | 5.18 | 20.1 | 126 |
| Sep | 6.07 | 21.7 | 148 |
| Oct | 6.20 | 22.6 | 151 |
| Nov | 5.82 | 22.8 | 142 |
| Dec | 5.95 | 23.2 | 145 |
Solar potential of Arusha explained
Arusha receives an average of 5.6 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 1635 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Arusha among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Arusha?
With 5.6 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Arusha produces roughly 1635 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 Arusha?
Approximately 8,000 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 →