Solar energy in Welkom, South Africa
Average irradiation 5.87 kWh/m²/day · ~1714 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Welkom (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.34 | 24.0 | 179 |
| Feb | 6.69 | 23.1 | 163 |
| Mar | 5.93 | 21.1 | 144 |
| Apr | 4.89 | 16.9 | 119 |
| May | 4.30 | 13.2 | 105 |
| Jun | 3.89 | 9.3 | 94 |
| Jul | 4.23 | 9.1 | 103 |
| Aug | 5.06 | 12.1 | 123 |
| Sep | 6.18 | 16.8 | 150 |
| Oct | 6.89 | 20.2 | 167 |
| Nov | 7.50 | 21.8 | 182 |
| Dec | 7.54 | 23.4 | 183 |
Solar potential of Welkom explained
Welkom receives an average of 5.87 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 1714 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Welkom among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Welkom?
With 5.87 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Welkom produces roughly 1714 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 Welkom?
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 →