Solar energy in Harare, Zimbabwe
Average irradiation 5.82 kWh/m²/day · ~1699 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Harare (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6.09 | 21.3 | 148 |
| Feb | 6.11 | 21.0 | 148 |
| Mar | 5.78 | 20.3 | 141 |
| Apr | 5.50 | 18.6 | 134 |
| May | 5.17 | 16.2 | 126 |
| Jun | 4.66 | 13.9 | 113 |
| Jul | 4.83 | 13.6 | 117 |
| Aug | 5.74 | 16.4 | 140 |
| Sep | 6.46 | 19.9 | 157 |
| Oct | 6.88 | 22.4 | 167 |
| Nov | 6.54 | 22.7 | 159 |
| Dec | 6.11 | 21.6 | 149 |
Solar potential of Harare explained
Harare 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 Harare among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Harare?
With 5.82 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Harare 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 Harare?
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 →