Maun, Botswana, situated at latitude -19.9806 and longitude 23.4144, presents a favorable location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical setting benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature variations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Maun demonstrates remarkable consistency across seasons. Spring stands out as the most productive period, generating an impressive 7.33 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer and autumn follow closely, with daily outputs of 6.53 kWh and 6.58 kWh, respectively. Even during winter, the least productive season, the region still maintains a respectable 5.74 kWh daily output.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Maun, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 19 degrees facing North. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Maun's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

• Dust storms: The region's dry seasons can lead to increased dust in the air, potentially reducing panel efficiency.
• Heavy rainfall: During the wet season, intense rainstorms may temporarily reduce solar output.

To mitigate these issues, regular panel cleaning and maintenance should be implemented. Additionally, installing panels at the recommended tilt angle can help with natural cleaning during rainstorms and reduce dust accumulation.

Conclusion

Overall, Maun, Botswana, offers an excellent location for year-round solar energy production. With its consistent sunlight and relatively minor environmental challenges, the region is well-suited for solar PV installations. By following best practices in panel installation and maintenance, solar energy systems in Maun can achieve high efficiency and reliable output throughout the year.

Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 7 locations across Botswana. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Botswana by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Maun

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -19.9806, Longitude: 23.4144 (Maun, Botswana), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 19° North in Maun, Botswana

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Maun, Botswana (Lat/Long -19.9806, 23.4144) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 19° North for fixed panel installations.

As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.

We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Maun, Botswana

If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Maun, Botswana. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 19° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
4° North in Summer	26° North in Autumn	35° North in Winter	14° North in Spring

Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.

This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.

Calculate solar panel row spacing in Maun, Botswana

We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Maun, Botswana.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. Minimum Spacing:
   We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.

This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.

Topography for solar PV around Maun, Botswana

Maun, located in northern Botswana, sits on the southern edge of the Okavango Delta, a vast inland river delta known for its unique ecosystem. The topography around Maun is characterized by a relatively flat landscape with subtle variations in elevation. The area surrounding Maun is primarily composed of sandy soils and savanna grasslands. To the north and west, the land gradually transitions into the wetlands of the Okavango Delta, featuring a network of channels, lagoons, and islands. This delta region is generally low-lying and prone to seasonal flooding. To the east and south of Maun, the terrain becomes drier and more typical of the Kalahari Desert ecosystem. Here, the landscape is dominated by flat to gently undulating plains covered with sparse vegetation, including grasses and scattered trees. Small sand dunes and occasional rocky outcrops can be found in this area.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

The regions to the east and south of Maun offer the most promising conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. These areas benefit from several favorable characteristics: Firstly, the relatively flat terrain makes construction and maintenance of solar arrays more straightforward and cost-effective. The lack of significant hills or mountains means there are fewer obstacles to block sunlight and create shading issues. Secondly, the climate in this region is arid to semi-arid, with abundant sunshine throughout the year. Thirdly, the sparse vegetation in the areas east and south of Maun means less land clearing would be required for solar farm development. This reduces both the environmental impact and the costs associated with site preparation. However, it's important to note that while these areas are well-suited for solar PV, careful environmental assessments would be necessary to ensure minimal disruption to local ecosystems and wildlife. Additionally, the distance from Maun to potential solar farm sites would need to be considered in terms of power transmission infrastructure. In contrast, the areas to the north and west of Maun, which are part of the Okavango Delta system, would be less suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to the presence of wetlands, seasonal flooding, and the ecological importance of this unique ecosystem.

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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential

The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.

However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.