Solar energy in Cape Town, South Africa
Average irradiation 5.57 kWh/m²/day · ~1626 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Cape Town (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8.40 | 20.0 | 204 |
| Feb | 7.54 | 20.3 | 183 |
| Mar | 6.12 | 19.3 | 149 |
| Apr | 4.48 | 17.7 | 109 |
| May | 3.11 | 16.5 | 76 |
| Jun | 2.63 | 15.1 | 64 |
| Jul | 2.92 | 14.4 | 71 |
| Aug | 3.68 | 14.3 | 90 |
| Sep | 5.04 | 15.0 | 123 |
| Oct | 6.60 | 16.2 | 160 |
| Nov | 7.86 | 17.4 | 191 |
| Dec | 8.46 | 19.1 | 206 |
Solar potential of Cape Town explained
Cape Town receives an average of 5.57 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 1626 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Cape Town among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Cape Town?
With 5.57 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Cape Town produces roughly 1626 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 Cape Town?
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) · Kinshasa (4.6) · all cities →