Solar energy in Thiès, Senegal
Average irradiation 6 kWh/m²/day · ~1752 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Thiès (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.32 | 22.6 | 129 |
| Feb | 5.95 | 22.9 | 145 |
| Mar | 6.71 | 23.8 | 163 |
| Apr | 7.04 | 23.9 | 171 |
| May | 6.93 | 25.4 | 168 |
| Jun | 6.51 | 27.6 | 158 |
| Jul | 6.05 | 28.2 | 147 |
| Aug | 5.73 | 27.9 | 139 |
| Sep | 5.60 | 27.8 | 136 |
| Oct | 5.80 | 28.0 | 141 |
| Nov | 5.35 | 26.1 | 130 |
| Dec | 5.05 | 23.9 | 123 |
Solar potential of Thiès explained
Thiès receives an average of 6 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 1752 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Thiès among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Thiès?
With 6 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Thiès produces roughly 1752 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 Thiès?
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 →