Solar PV Analysis of Harar, Ethiopia
Harar, Ethiopia is a good location for generating solar energy all year round. This is because it's situated in the Tropics where sunlight is fairly consistent throughout the year. The electricity output from solar panels installed here can vary slightly with each season but remains quite high overall.
In Summer, you can expect to generate about 6.43 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed. In Autumn, this increases slightly to around 6.96 kWh/day per kW. Winter sees a further increase to around 7.26 kWh/day per kW and Spring produces the most at approximately 7.47 kWh/day per kW.
So when it comes to ideal times of year for generating solar power at this location, Spring seems to be the best followed by Winter, Autumn and then Summer.
For those installing fixed panel installations in Harar, tilting your panels at an angle of 10 degrees South will help maximise your total production from these solar panels throughout the year.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could potentially impede solar production here are concerned - there aren't any significant ones mentioned specifically for Harar; however general considerations would include ensuring that there are no major obstructions such as tall buildings or trees that could block sunlight hitting your panels directly especially during peak hours of sunlight.
Additionally, while Harar experiences both wet and dry seasons typical in tropical regions – heavy rainfall during wet seasons might temporarily reduce efficiency due to cloud cover but shouldn't significantly impact overall annual output since dry periods should compensate with higher production levels.
When installing solar systems here, one preventive measure you could take against potential damage from heavy rains or storms would be ensuring sturdy installation and possibly adding protective measures like storm guards if necessary based on local weather patterns.
Overall though based on given data – Harar presents favourable conditions for efficient generation of solar power year-round.
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 24 locations across Ethiopia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Ethiopia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Harar
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 9.312, Longitude: 42.1261 (Harar, Ethiopia), 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 10° South in Harar, Ethiopia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Harar, Ethiopia (Lat/Long 9.312, 42.1261) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 10° South 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 Harar, Ethiopia
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 Harar, Ethiopia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 10° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7° North in Summer | 16° South in Autumn | 25° South in Winter | 3° 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 Harar, Ethiopia
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 Harar, Ethiopia.
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 Harar, Ethiopia
Harar, Ethiopia is located in the eastern part of the country and is characterized by a hilly landscape. It sits on an elevation ranging from 1,800 to 2,100 meters above sea level. The region around Harar comprises primarily of undulating plateaus with some mountainous areas.
The topography may present challenges for large-scale solar PV installations due to its uneven terrain. However, it's not impossible as technology has advanced to allow for solar panel installation on various types of landscapes including hills and mountains.
As for specific nearby areas that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV, one would need detailed geographical data such as slope angle, orientation and sun exposure throughout the year. Generally speaking though:
1) Areas with flat or gently sloping land would be ideal.
2) Locations at lower altitudes might offer more consistent sunlight exposure.
3) Open fields or unused agricultural lands could also serve well since they typically have fewer obstructions like trees or buildings that can shade panels.
In terms of weather conditions suitable for solar power generation in this region: Harar experiences a tropical savanna climate with warm temperatures throughout the year and significant rainfall during summer months which might affect efficiency of solar panels. However, it enjoys ample sunshine hours per day especially during dry season making it potentially suitable for harnessing solar energy.
A thorough feasibility study considering all these factors should be conducted before deciding on any large-scale photovoltaic project location.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 22nd of April 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.
