Solar energy in Lilongwe, Malawi
Average irradiation 5.67 kWh/m²/day · ~1656 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Lilongwe (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.30 | 21.4 | 129 |
| Feb | 5.63 | 21.2 | 137 |
| Mar | 5.58 | 20.7 | 136 |
| Apr | 5.53 | 19.4 | 135 |
| May | 5.26 | 17.6 | 128 |
| Jun | 4.82 | 16.0 | 117 |
| Jul | 4.87 | 15.9 | 119 |
| Aug | 5.60 | 18.2 | 136 |
| Sep | 6.42 | 21.4 | 156 |
| Oct | 6.76 | 24.2 | 164 |
| Nov | 6.57 | 24.7 | 160 |
| Dec | 5.72 | 22.6 | 139 |
Solar potential of Lilongwe explained
Lilongwe receives an average of 5.67 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 1656 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Lilongwe among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Lilongwe?
With 5.67 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Lilongwe produces roughly 1656 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 Lilongwe?
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 →