Solar energy in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Average irradiation 5.82 kWh/m²/day · ~1699 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Bulawayo (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6.69 | 22.8 | 163 |
| Feb | 6.34 | 22.3 | 154 |
| Mar | 5.85 | 21.3 | 142 |
| Apr | 5.40 | 19.2 | 131 |
| May | 5.08 | 16.7 | 124 |
| Jun | 4.46 | 14.4 | 109 |
| Jul | 4.66 | 14.0 | 113 |
| Aug | 5.57 | 17.3 | 136 |
| Sep | 6.30 | 21.1 | 153 |
| Oct | 6.72 | 23.6 | 163 |
| Nov | 6.46 | 23.7 | 157 |
| Dec | 6.33 | 23.0 | 154 |
Solar potential of Bulawayo explained
Bulawayo receives an average of 5.82 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 1699 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Bulawayo among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Bulawayo?
With 5.82 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Bulawayo produces roughly 1699 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 Bulawayo?
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 →