Solar energy in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Average irradiation 5.78 kWh/m²/day · ~1688 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Bobo-Dioulasso (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.74 | 24.6 | 140 |
| Feb | 6.02 | 28.0 | 147 |
| Mar | 6.21 | 30.7 | 151 |
| Apr | 6.11 | 31.1 | 149 |
| May | 6.07 | 29.8 | 148 |
| Jun | 5.80 | 27.8 | 141 |
| Jul | 5.48 | 25.9 | 133 |
| Aug | 5.20 | 25.2 | 126 |
| Sep | 5.57 | 25.4 | 136 |
| Oct | 5.86 | 26.4 | 143 |
| Nov | 5.73 | 25.9 | 139 |
| Dec | 5.62 | 24.2 | 137 |
Solar potential of Bobo-Dioulasso explained
Bobo-Dioulasso receives an average of 5.78 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 1688 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Bobo-Dioulasso among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Bobo-Dioulasso?
With 5.78 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Bobo-Dioulasso produces roughly 1688 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 Bobo-Dioulasso?
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 →