Solar PV Analysis of Walvis Bay, Namibia
Located at latitude -22.9602 and longitude 14.5094, Walvis Bay in Namibia is a prime site for solar power generation due to its abundant sunlight exposure throughout the year and minimal seasonal fluctuations. The city enjoys an average daily energy production of 8.11 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity during summer, which slightly decreases to 6.21 kWh/day in autumn, further lowers to 5.01 kWh/day in winter, but rebounds back up to 7.41 kWh/day come spring.
For fixed panel installations at this location, the optimal tilt angle is towards the North at approximately 20 degrees for maximum sun exposure throughout the year.
Despite these favorable conditions, it's important to note that certain environmental factors could occasionally impede solar production in Walvis Bay. These include high wind speeds that can cause damage or misalignment of panels and dust storms that can deposit particles on panel surfaces reducing their efficiency.
To mitigate these potential challenges when installing solar panels in this area, it would be beneficial to use sturdy mounting systems capable of withstanding local wind conditions and regular maintenance schedules should be established for cleaning dust from panel surfaces thus ensuring continued optimal performance despite these 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 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 Walvis Bay
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -22.9602, Longitude: 14.5094 (Walvis Bay, 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 20° North in Walvis Bay, Namibia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Walvis Bay, Namibia (Lat/Long -22.9602, 14.5094) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 20° 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 Walvis Bay, 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 Walvis Bay, Namibia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 20° North 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 | 29° North in Autumn | 38° North in Winter | 16° 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 Walvis Bay, 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 Walvis Bay, 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 Walvis Bay, Namibia
The topography around Walvis Bay, Namibia is mostly flat and featureless. The nearby areas that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV are the open desert plains to the east of the city, as well as the coastal dunes to the west. These areas have plenty of available land with no obstructions from buildings or other infrastructure, making them ideal locations for solar panel installations.
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: Monday 14th of August 2023
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.
