Solar PV Analysis of Mopti, Mali
The location at Mopti, Mali is quite good for generating energy via solar panels throughout the year. This is because it's located in the Tropics where sunlight is consistent for most of the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced by each kilowatt of installed solar power varies slightly with each season: 6.59kWh/day in Summer, 6.51kWh/day in Autumn, 6.36kWh/day in Winter, and 7.14kWh/day in Spring.
This means that while all seasons are pretty good for producing solar energy, springtime produces a bit more than other seasons due to increased sunlight hours and intensity.
For this location, if you're setting up fixed panel installations (panels that don't move), tilting them at an angle of 14 degrees South would help maximize total production from your solar panels all year round.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect how much energy you can generate from your solar panels:
One potential factor could be dust or sand carried by wind which may settle on the surface of your panels reducing their efficiency over time. To prevent this issue affecting your energy production too much, regular cleaning and maintenance of the panels should be done to keep them free from dust or sand build-up.
Another environmental factor could involve seasonal changes such as heavy rainfall during certain periods which may lead to reduced sunlight exposure for your panels hence lower energy generation capacity during those times.
In conclusion though these factors are not significant enough to discourage installing a solar PV system at this location given its high annual average output per kW installed compared to many other locations globally.
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 4 locations across Mali. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Mali by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Mopti
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 14.4836, Longitude: -4.1931 (Mopti, Mali), 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 14° South in Mopti, Mali
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mopti, Mali (Lat/Long 14.4836, -4.1931) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 14° 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 Mopti, Mali
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 Mopti, Mali. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 14° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2° North in Summer | 20° South in Autumn | 30° South in Winter | 8° 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 Mopti, Mali
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 Mopti, Mali.
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 Mopti, Mali
Mopti, Mali is located in the Inner Niger Delta region, characterized by flat plains and floodplains. The area around Mopti is largely flat with an elevation ranging from 250 to 300 meters above sea level. It's a semi-arid region with sparse vegetation mainly composed of grasslands and shrubs.
The topography of the region would be quite suitable for large-scale solar PV installations as it offers vast expanses of flat land receiving high amounts of sunlight throughout the year due to its location near the equator. The areas towards the north and east of Mopti are particularly suited for this kind of development due to their low population density and relatively scarce vegetation which would minimize land use conflicts.
However, factors such as accessibility, infrastructure, proximity to transmission lines or potential energy consumers should also be considered when selecting sites for large-scale solar PV installations.
Mali solar PV Stats as a country
Mali ranks 88th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 100 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Mali is generating 5 Watts from solar PV per capita (Mali ranks 79th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Mali?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Mali. The government of Mali has implemented a number of policies and programs to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include tax exemptions on imported equipment used for solar installations, subsidies for the installation of solar systems, and access to low-interest loans from international development banks. Additionally, the government has established a Renewable Energy Fund which provides grants and other financial support to businesses that invest in renewable energy projects.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Mali? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 25th 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.
