Carletonville, Gauteng, South Africa presents a very good location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation. Located in the Southern Sub Tropics at coordinates -26.367, 27.4025, this area benefits from consistently strong solar energy potential throughout all seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output varies significantly across the seasons, with spring delivering the highest production at 7.24kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely with 6.43kWh/day, while autumn provides 5.79kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest output at 4.78kWh/day per kW, though this remains quite respectable for solar generation. Spring emerges as the ideal time for solar energy generation at this location, likely due to optimal sun angles and clear atmospheric conditions before the summer weather patterns set in. Even during the winter months, the solar output remains substantial enough to make year-round solar installations economically viable. For maximum energy production, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 25 degrees facing North. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting for daily solar potential.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors in the Carletonville area can potentially impact solar energy production:

• Dust and mining particulates: Given Carletonville's history as a major gold mining center, airborne dust and mining-related particles can accumulate on solar panels, reducing their efficiency
• Summer thunderstorms: The region experiences intense thunderstorms during summer months, which can create temporary shading and potential hail damage
• Highveld weather patterns: Sudden weather changes and strong winds common to the South African Highveld can affect panel positioning and cleanliness

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be considered:

• Regular cleaning schedules: Implement frequent panel cleaning to remove dust and particulate buildup, particularly important in this mining region
• Robust mounting systems: Use heavy-duty mounting hardware designed to withstand strong Highveld winds and weather extremes
• Hail-resistant panels: Select solar panels with higher impact ratings to protect against hail damage during summer storms
• Proper drainage design: Ensure installation allows for effective water runoff during heavy rainfall periods

Despite these considerations, Carletonville's strong year-round solar potential makes it an excellent location for solar PV installations, with proper planning and maintenance ensuring optimal energy generation throughout all seasons.

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 Carletonville

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -26.367, Longitude: 27.4025 (Carletonville, 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 Carletonville, South Africa

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Carletonville, South Africa (Lat/Long -26.367, 27.4025) 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 Carletonville, 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 Carletonville, 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 Carletonville, 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 Carletonville, South Africa.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Carletonville, South Africa

Topographical Features of Carletonville

Carletonville sits on the Witwatersrand plateau in South Africa's Gauteng province, positioned at an elevation of approximately 1,600 meters above sea level. This area forms part of the broader Highveld region, characterized by relatively flat to gently undulating terrain that extends across much of the interior plateau. The landscape around Carletonville consists primarily of open grassland with scattered rocky outcrops and low ridges that are remnants of ancient geological formations. The region's topography has been significantly modified by decades of gold mining operations, creating a distinctive industrial landscape dotted with mine dumps, tailings dams, and excavated areas. These mining activities have resulted in numerous artificial hills and depressions across the terrain, alongside the natural rolling hills typical of the Witwatersrand. The underlying geology consists mainly of sedimentary rocks, particularly quartzites and shales that form part of the Witwatersrand Supergroup.

Drainage and Water Features

The area around Carletonville falls within the upper reaches of the Vaal River catchment system. Several small streams and seasonal watercourses drain the region, flowing generally southward toward the Vaal River. The Wonderfonteinspruit is one of the more significant waterways in the vicinity, though like many streams in the area, its flow has been affected by mining activities and underground water table changes. Natural water bodies are relatively scarce in the immediate area, though several small dams and mining-related water features dot the landscape. The terrain's gentle gradients mean that surface water movement is generally slow, and much of the region relies on groundwater resources, though these have been impacted by mining operations over many decades.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Carletonville would be found on the extensive flat to gently sloping grassland areas that lie between the mining complexes. These areas offer several advantages, including minimal topographical constraints that would require expensive earthworks or specialized mounting systems. The open grassland provides clear sight lines and minimal shading obstacles, essential for maximizing solar energy capture throughout the day. Areas to the north and east of Carletonville present particularly favorable conditions, where the terrain is relatively undisturbed by mining activities and consists of broad, gently rolling plains. These locations benefit from stable ground conditions and good accessibility via existing road networks. The elevation of these areas, sitting on the highveld plateau, provides excellent atmospheric clarity and reduced atmospheric interference. The agricultural lands surrounding the town also present viable options for solar development, particularly areas that are currently used for extensive grazing or crop production. These locations typically have good road access and existing electrical infrastructure connections, which can significantly reduce development costs. The relatively uniform topography across these agricultural areas allows for efficient layout of solar arrays with consistent orientation and minimal terrain-related complications. Areas immediately adjacent to existing mining operations should generally be avoided due to potential ground stability issues and the presence of underground workings. However, some rehabilitated mining areas or buffer zones around active operations may present opportunities, provided proper geological assessments confirm ground stability and suitability for large-scale infrastructure development.

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.