Solar energy in Bloemfontein, South Africa
Average irradiation 5.81 kWh/m²/day · ~1697 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Bloemfontein (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.55 | 24.4 | 184 |
| Feb | 6.76 | 23.4 | 164 |
| Mar | 5.95 | 21.2 | 145 |
| Apr | 4.74 | 16.7 | 115 |
| May | 4.00 | 12.8 | 97 |
| Jun | 3.56 | 8.8 | 87 |
| Jul | 3.92 | 8.5 | 95 |
| Aug | 4.76 | 11.3 | 116 |
| Sep | 5.94 | 16.1 | 144 |
| Oct | 6.95 | 19.7 | 169 |
| Nov | 7.71 | 21.6 | 187 |
| Dec | 7.91 | 23.7 | 192 |
Solar potential of Bloemfontein explained
Bloemfontein receives an average of 5.81 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 1697 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Bloemfontein among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Bloemfontein?
With 5.81 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Bloemfontein produces roughly 1697 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 Bloemfontein?
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 →