Solar energy in Freetown, Sierra Leone
Average irradiation 4.94 kWh/m²/day · ~1442 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Freetown (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.19 | 25.7 | 126 |
| Feb | 5.65 | 26.6 | 137 |
| Mar | 5.94 | 27.5 | 144 |
| Apr | 5.86 | 27.9 | 142 |
| May | 5.24 | 27.6 | 127 |
| Jun | 4.38 | 26.4 | 106 |
| Jul | 3.84 | 25.4 | 93 |
| Aug | 3.76 | 25.1 | 92 |
| Sep | 4.57 | 25.5 | 111 |
| Oct | 5.02 | 26.1 | 122 |
| Nov | 4.86 | 26.5 | 118 |
| Dec | 4.96 | 26.1 | 121 |
Solar potential of Freetown explained
Freetown receives an average of 4.94 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 1442 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Freetown among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Freetown?
With 4.94 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Freetown produces roughly 1442 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 Freetown?
Approximately 7,000 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 →