Solar PV Analysis of Oshakati, Namibia
Oshakati, Oshana Region, Namibia is located in the tropics and has a consistent amount of sunlight throughout most of the year. This makes it an excellent location for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies slightly by season, with the highest production in spring (7.89 kilowatt-hours per day) and summer (7.76 kilowatt-hours per day), followed by autumn (6.38 kilowatt-hours per day) and winter (5.83 kilowatt-hours per day). In simple terms, this means that more electricity can be generated from solar panels during the spring and summer months.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 16 degrees towards the north would maximize their exposure to sunlight and result in higher overall energy production throughout the year.
However, there could be some local factors such as weather conditions or environmental issues that might affect how much electricity can be generated from solar power at this location. For instance, if Oshakati experiences heavy rainfall during certain seasons or has a lot of dust storms or cloud cover, these could reduce sunlight exposure on the panels thereby reducing their efficiency.
To mitigate these potential challenges when installing solar panels here:
1) They should have sturdy construction to withstand strong wind conditions.
2) Regular maintenance should include cleaning off dust accumulation which can block sunlight.
3) If heavy rains are common during certain seasons then water-resistant materials should be used for installation to prevent damage.
4) It may also be beneficial to install tracking systems so that your panels move with sun's position maximizing exposure even under cloudy conditions.
In conclusion while there might be some minor seasonal variations and possible weather related challenges; given its tropical location with ample sunshine most days - Oshakati is generally a great place for generating energy via Solar PV.
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 13 locations across Namibia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Namibia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Oshakati
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -17.7847, Longitude: 15.7032 (Oshakati, Namibia), 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 16° North in Oshakati, Namibia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Oshakati, Namibia (Lat/Long -17.7847, 15.7032) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 16° 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 Oshakati, Namibia
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 Oshakati, Namibia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 16° North 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 | 24° North in Autumn | 33° North in Winter | 11° 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 Oshakati, Namibia
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 Oshakati, Namibia.
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 Oshakati, Namibia
Oshakati is located in the northern part of Namibia and is part of the Ovamboland region. This area features a flat, arid landscape with sparse vegetation, primarily consisting of shrubs and small trees. The region has an altitude ranging from 1,000 to 1,300 meters above sea level.
This topography makes it well suited for large-scale solar PV installations due to several factors:
1. Flat Terrain: The flatness of the terrain reduces installation costs as less ground leveling work would be needed before construction can begin.
2. High Solar Irradiance: Being situated near the equator, Oshakati receives high levels of sunlight throughout the year which increases potential energy production from solar panels.
3. Low Population Density: There are vast tracts of uninhabited land around Oshakati which could be used without displacing local populations or disrupting existing land uses.
4. Proximity to Infrastructure: Oshakati is a significant urban center in northern Namibia with relatively good infrastructure including roads and electricity grid connections that could facilitate transportation of materials during construction phase and distribution of generated power thereafter.
Potential areas for large-scale solar PV installations include regions south-east or south-west from Oshakati where there's plenty open space available while still being close enough for easy connection to existing infrastructure.
Namibia solar PV Stats as a country
Namibia ranks 79th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 145 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Namibia is generating 57 Watts from solar PV per capita (Namibia ranks 49th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Namibia?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Namibia. The government of Namibia has implemented a number of policies and initiatives 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 rooftop photovoltaic systems, and grants for research and development projects related to renewable energy. Additionally, the government has established a Renewable Energy Fund which provides financial support to businesses that wish to invest in renewable energy projects.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Namibia? 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: Tuesday 2nd of July 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.
