Solar PV Analysis of Goma, DR Congo
Goma, Nord Kivu, DR Congo is a fairly good location for generating solar energy all year round due to its tropical climate. This means it gets consistent sunlight throughout the year, making it ideal for solar power generation. The amount of electricity you can expect to get from each kilowatt of installed solar panels varies slightly by season: 4.92 kWh/day in summer, 5.26 kWh/day in autumn, 5.29 kWh/day in winter and 5.30 kWh/day in spring.
The best time to generate solar energy at this location would be during spring and winter when the output is highest; however, the differences between seasons are minimal so you can expect decent production all year round.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 2 degrees towards the North will give you maximum total yearly production from your PV system.
However, there could be some potential obstacles to consider that might affect your solar power production here:
1) Weather conditions: Goma has a rainy season which could reduce sunlight exposure on your panels and therefore lower their efficiency.
Preventative measure: Regular maintenance checks should be carried out on your installation especially after heavy rainfall or storms to ensure no damage has been done that could affect performance.
2) Dust and dirt accumulation: Given Goma's proximity to active volcanoes such as Mount Nyiragongo, volcanic ash may settle on panels reducing their efficiency.
Preventative measure: Regular cleaning of the panels will help maintain optimal performance levels.
3) Shading issues: If there are tall buildings or trees nearby they could cast shadows over your solar panels reducing their effectiveness.
Preventative measure: When installing make sure you choose a spot with minimal shading throughout the day or trim back any foliage that may cause shading issues.
In conclusion, while Goma does present some challenges for harnessing solar energy efficiently due to environmental factors like weather conditions and dust accumulation, these can be mitigated with regular maintenance and careful site selection.
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 12 locations across DR Congo. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in DR Congo by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Goma
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -1.6829, Longitude: 29.2211 (Goma, DR Congo), 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 2° North in Goma, DR Congo
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Goma, DR Congo (Lat/Long -1.6829, 29.2211) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 2° 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 Goma, DR Congo
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 Goma, DR Congo. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 2° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14° South in Summer | 8° North in Autumn | 17° North in Winter | 4° South 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 Goma, DR Congo
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 Goma, DR Congo.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Goma, DR Congo
Goma is located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, near the border with Rwanda. The city sits on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, next to the active Nyiragongo Volcano. The topography around Goma is quite varied, with volcanic landscapes characterized by lava plains and steep volcanic hillsides.
The climate in Goma is tropical savanna, which means it has a significant amount of sunshine throughout the year that makes it potentially suitable for solar PV installations. However, due to its location near an active volcano and frequent volcanic eruptions resulting in lava flow covering vast areas, some parts may not be ideal for such installations.
Open flat lands away from residential areas and far from potential hazards like volcanoes would be most suited for large-scale solar PV projects. Areas towards Lake Kivu might also be considered due to their relative flatness compared to other surrounding regions.
However, any decision regarding installation needs careful assessment considering factors like land ownership rights, proximity to power grids or infrastructure necessary for power transmission/distribution as well as environmental impact assessments among others.
It's also worth noting that while Goma does have a high level of sunlight exposure ideal for solar energy production; there are challenges including political instability and lack of infrastructure that could make implementation difficult.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 2nd of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
