Solar energy in Herāt, Afghanistan
Average irradiation 5.52 kWh/m²/day · ~1612 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Herāt (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2.71 | 2.1 | 66 |
| Feb | 3.47 | 4.1 | 84 |
| Mar | 4.80 | 9.6 | 117 |
| Apr | 6.07 | 14.8 | 148 |
| May | 7.55 | 20.1 | 184 |
| Jun | 8.47 | 23.8 | 206 |
| Jul | 8.24 | 25.3 | 200 |
| Aug | 7.60 | 23.3 | 185 |
| Sep | 6.53 | 19.1 | 159 |
| Oct | 4.91 | 14.2 | 120 |
| Nov | 3.29 | 8.1 | 80 |
| Dec | 2.64 | 3.4 | 64 |
Solar potential of Herāt explained
Herāt receives an average of 5.52 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 1612 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Herāt among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Herāt?
With 5.52 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Herāt produces roughly 1612 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 Herāt?
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%.
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