Solar energy in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Average irradiation 4.72 kWh/m²/day · ~1378 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Pietermaritzburg (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.79 | 21.2 | 141 |
| Feb | 5.66 | 21.1 | 138 |
| Mar | 5.11 | 20.1 | 124 |
| Apr | 4.20 | 17.7 | 102 |
| May | 3.73 | 15.8 | 91 |
| Jun | 3.33 | 13.2 | 81 |
| Jul | 3.58 | 12.9 | 87 |
| Aug | 4.12 | 14.8 | 100 |
| Sep | 4.78 | 16.8 | 116 |
| Oct | 5.10 | 18.0 | 124 |
| Nov | 5.49 | 19.1 | 134 |
| Dec | 5.75 | 20.5 | 140 |
Solar potential of Pietermaritzburg explained
Pietermaritzburg receives an average of 4.72 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 1378 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Pietermaritzburg among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Pietermaritzburg?
With 4.72 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Pietermaritzburg produces roughly 1378 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 Pietermaritzburg?
Approximately 7,000 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 →