Solar energy in Nouakchott, Mauritania
Average irradiation 6.3 kWh/m²/day · ~1840 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Nouakchott (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.02 | 19.9 | 122 |
| Feb | 5.80 | 19.9 | 141 |
| Mar | 6.84 | 20.8 | 166 |
| Apr | 7.36 | 20.8 | 179 |
| May | 7.49 | 21.9 | 182 |
| Jun | 7.23 | 24.0 | 176 |
| Jul | 6.99 | 26.0 | 170 |
| Aug | 6.77 | 27.4 | 165 |
| Sep | 6.33 | 28.5 | 154 |
| Oct | 5.91 | 27.2 | 144 |
| Nov | 5.17 | 24.2 | 126 |
| Dec | 4.71 | 21.5 | 115 |
Solar potential of Nouakchott explained
Nouakchott receives an average of 6.3 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 1840 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Nouakchott among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Nouakchott?
With 6.3 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Nouakchott produces roughly 1840 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 Nouakchott?
Approximately 9,000 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 →