Solar PV Analysis of Alberton, South Africa
Alberton, Gauteng, South Africa, is a pretty good place for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar panels changes with the seasons. In Summer and Spring, you'll get more power (around 6.26 kWh/day in Summer and 7.01 kWh/day in Spring) than in Autumn or Winter (about 5.78 kWh/day and 4.82 kWh/day respectively).
In simple terms, this means that your solar panels will work best during the sunnier months of the year - so if you're looking to install some, it's worth considering when you'll need the most electricity.
To make sure your solar panels produce as much power as possible throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle of 25 degrees facing North - this is because Alberton is located in Southern Hemisphere where sunlight comes from North.
As far as environmental factors go, there could be a few things that might affect how well your solar panels work here. For example: dust storms could cover your panels making them less effective; heavy rainfall might damage them or reduce their performance; and local wildlife like birds might also cause some issues by nesting on or around them.
But don't worry! There are ways to deal with these potential problems too: for dust storms regular cleaning will help keep your panels working at their best; installing protective covers can shield them from rain damage; and bird deterrents can prevent any unwanted feathered visitors from causing trouble.
So overall Alberton seems like a pretty decent spot for harnessing solar power - just remember to take care of those pesky potential issues!
Note: The Southern Sub Tropics extend from -23.5° latitude South down to -35° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 196 locations across South Africa. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in South Africa by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Alberton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -26.2296, Longitude: 28.1272 (Alberton, South Africa), 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 25° North in Alberton, South Africa
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Alberton, South Africa (Lat/Long -26.2296, 28.1272) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° 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 Alberton, South Africa
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 Alberton, South Africa. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° North 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 | 32° North in Autumn | 42° North in Winter | 20° 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 Alberton, South Africa
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 Alberton, South Africa.
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 Alberton, South Africa
Alberton, South Africa is situated on the East Rand of Gauteng Province. The topography is relatively flat and slightly undulating in some areas. It is located at an altitude of approximately 1,570 meters above sea level.
The climate around Alberton is generally sunny and dry throughout the year which makes it suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. However, specific locations for such installations would ideally need to have minimal obstructions (like tall buildings or trees) that could potentially block sunlight.
Areas nearby that are most suited to large-scale solar PV would be those with vast open spaces and consistent sun exposure. These could include rural or semi-rural areas surrounding Alberton where land may not be as densely developed or used for agriculture. Some potential places might include farms or industrial zones near Brackenhurst, Alrode, Thokoza, Eden Park among others.
However, a thorough feasibility study including factors like local weather patterns, availability of land space and infrastructure should be conducted before deciding on a specific location for setting up a large-scale solar PV project.
South Africa solar PV Stats as a country
South Africa ranks 21st in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 6,221 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 2.00% of South Africa's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 34th in the world). Each year South Africa is generating 105 Watts from solar PV per capita (South Africa ranks 38th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in South Africa?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in South Africa. The government offers a range of financial incentives and tax breaks for businesses that invest in renewable energy projects. These include the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) program, which provides long-term contracts with guaranteed prices for electricity generated from renewable sources; the Accelerated Depreciation Allowance (ADA), which allows businesses to deduct up to 50% of their capital expenditure on renewable energy projects from their taxable income; and the Small Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) program, which provides financial support for small-scale solar installations. Additionally, some local governments offer grants or subsidies to help offset the cost of installing solar systems.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in South Africa? 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 30th 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.
