Solar energy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Average irradiation 5.85 kWh/m²/day · ~1708 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Ouagadougou (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.61 | 22.9 | 136 |
| Feb | 5.95 | 26.6 | 145 |
| Mar | 6.16 | 30.2 | 150 |
| Apr | 6.31 | 32.4 | 153 |
| May | 6.20 | 32.0 | 151 |
| Jun | 5.89 | 29.7 | 143 |
| Jul | 5.65 | 27.4 | 137 |
| Aug | 5.41 | 26.3 | 132 |
| Sep | 5.78 | 26.6 | 141 |
| Oct | 5.99 | 27.6 | 146 |
| Nov | 5.76 | 25.8 | 140 |
| Dec | 5.55 | 23.3 | 135 |
Solar potential of Ouagadougou explained
Ouagadougou receives an average of 5.85 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 1708 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Ouagadougou among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Ouagadougou?
With 5.85 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Ouagadougou produces roughly 1708 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 Ouagadougou?
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 →