Solar PV Analysis of Kumasi, Ghana
Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana is situated in the tropics where sunlight is pretty much consistent throughout the year. This makes it a generally good location for generating electricity using solar panels. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar power varies a bit with the seasons, but not by much: it's about 4.78 kilowatt-hours per day in summer, around 5.36 in autumn and winter, and slightly more at 5.61 in spring.
To maximize your total yearly production from solar panels here, you'd want to install them at an angle tilted 7 degrees towards the South - this position captures most sunlight over the course of a year.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect how well your solar panels work here. Kumasi has two rainy seasons each year which could reduce sunlight exposure on these days and therefore lower energy production during those periods. It also experiences dust harmattan winds that blow from Sahara desert between November and March which could cover your panels with dust lowering their efficiency.
To counteract these problems you might want to consider installing systems that allow you to adjust the tilt of your panels so they can catch more light when it's available or less when it's too cloudy or dusty due to harmattan winds or heavy rains. Regular cleaning of the panel surface would also help keep them working efficiently by removing any dust build-up caused by harmattan winds or other environmental factors.
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 Ghana. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Ghana by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Kumasi
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.6816, Longitude: -1.6221 (Kumasi, Ghana), 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 7° South in Kumasi, Ghana
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kumasi, Ghana (Lat/Long 6.6816, -1.6221) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 7° 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 Kumasi, Ghana
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 Kumasi, Ghana. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 7° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10° North in Summer | 13° South in Autumn | 22° South in Winter | 0° 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 Kumasi, Ghana
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 Kumasi, Ghana.
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 Kumasi, Ghana
Kumasi, Ghana is located in the Ashanti Region. The topography of Kumasi is largely flat with some areas of rolling hills. It has a tropical rainforest climate with two rainy seasons and an average annual temperature around 26°C (79°F).
Large-scale solar PV installations require large tracts of relatively flat land that receive high levels of sunlight throughout the year. Considering this, it would be most suited to install these systems in open flatlands or on rooftops within the city where there are no obstructions blocking sunlight.
The northern parts near Lake Bosomtwe could be suitable for such a project due to its relatively flatter terrain compared to other surrounding regions. However, potential environmental impact should also be taken into account before proceeding with any large scale installations.
It's also worth noting that Ghana's equatorial location provides it with high levels of solar irradiation, making it generally favorable for solar energy production across the country.
In terms of existing infrastructure, Kumasi already has some experience with renewable energy projects - including both hydroelectric power and smaller scale solar installations – which could potentially facilitate larger scale development.
However, more specific assessments would need to be done by experts considering various factors such as grid connectivity, local regulations related to land use and environmental protection before identifying exact locations for large-scale solar PV installation.
Ghana solar PV Stats as a country
Ghana ranks 85th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 108 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Ghana is generating 3 Watts from solar PV per capita (Ghana ranks 83rd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Ghana?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Ghana. The government of Ghana has implemented a number of policies and programs to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include tax exemptions, subsidies, and grants for businesses that install solar systems. Additionally, the government has established a Renewable Energy Fund which provides financial support for projects related to renewable energy development. Finally, the government also offers technical assistance and capacity building services to help businesses develop their own solar projects.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Ghana? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 12th 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.
