Solar energy in Tshikapa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Average irradiation 4.98 kWh/m²/day · ~1454 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Tshikapa (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4.86 | 24.9 | 118 |
| Feb | 5.06 | 25.5 | 123 |
| Mar | 5.21 | 25.3 | 127 |
| Apr | 5.12 | 25.0 | 125 |
| May | 5.08 | 25.7 | 124 |
| Jun | 5.04 | 25.5 | 122 |
| Jul | 4.86 | 26.0 | 118 |
| Aug | 4.45 | 27.3 | 108 |
| Sep | 4.84 | 26.4 | 118 |
| Oct | 5.20 | 25.4 | 126 |
| Nov | 5.19 | 24.5 | 126 |
| Dec | 4.87 | 24.4 | 118 |
Solar potential of Tshikapa explained
Tshikapa receives an average of 4.98 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 1454 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Tshikapa among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Tshikapa?
With 4.98 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Tshikapa produces roughly 1454 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 Tshikapa?
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%.
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Cairo (5.9) · Casablanca (5.3) · Lagos (4.6) · Nairobi (5.5) · Johannesburg (5.5) · Cape Town (5.3) · all cities →