Solar PV Analysis of Edenvale, South Africa
Edenvale, Gauteng, South Africa is a pretty good place to generate solar energy all year round. This is because of the amount of sunlight it receives throughout the different seasons. In summer, you can expect to produce about 6.26 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed. In autumn, this drops slightly to around 5.78 kWh/day per kW, and in winter it goes down further to about 4.82 kWh/day per kW. However, in spring the production goes up again to around 7.01 kWh/day per kW.
The best time for producing solar energy at this location would be during spring when the sun is shining most brightly and for longer periods each day.
When installing your solar panels here, make sure they are tilted at an angle of 25 degrees facing North so that they catch as much sunlight as possible throughout the year.
As far as local factors that might affect your ability to produce solar energy go, there may be some issues with weather or environmental conditions that could reduce your output sometimes - such as heavy cloud cover or dust storms which block out sunlight; however these are not significant enough to prevent a successful installation overall.
To make sure you get the most from your system despite these potential challenges: ensure regular cleaning and maintenance checks on your panels so they're always working efficiently; consider installing tracking systems that adjust panel angles based on where sun is coming from; and use high-quality equipment designed for tough weather conditions so it doesn't get damaged easily by elements like wind or rain.
In summary: Edenvale's sunny climate makes it well-suited for generating lots of clean renewable power using solar PV technology - especially during spring season when daylight hours are longest! Just remember proper installation techniques and routine upkeep will help maximise your system's performance over time even amidst occasional adverse weather events native to the region.
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 Edenvale
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -26.1293, Longitude: 28.1832 (Edenvale, 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 Edenvale, South Africa
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Edenvale, South Africa (Lat/Long -26.1293, 28.1832) 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 Edenvale, 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 Edenvale, 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 Edenvale, 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 Edenvale, 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 Edenvale, South Africa
Edenvale is located in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, which is characterized by a relatively flat topography. The region has vast plains with scattered hills and small mountain ranges. Edenvale itself is situated on the highveld plateau, which has an average altitude of about 1,500 meters above sea level.
Regarding solar PV potential, large-scale solar projects require areas with ample sunlight and flat or gently sloping terrains for easy installation. In general, the Gauteng province receives substantial sunlight throughout the year making it suitable for solar power generation.
However, due to its highly urbanized nature and density of buildings, finding large open spaces within Edenvale or other nearby cities might be challenging. Therefore, rural areas surrounding these cities could potentially offer more available land for large-scale solar PV installations.
One such area could be towards the east in Delmas Municipality (around Lat: -26.1466 Long: 28.6834) where there are larger tracts of unused land that can potentially host a large scale Solar PV plant given that it's also less densely populated compared to Edenvale.
It's important to note that factors such as local zoning laws and regulations regarding renewable energy projects must also be taken into account when identifying suitable locations for large-scale solar installations.
Lastly, a thorough feasibility study including aspects like grid connectivity infrastructure availability should be conducted before finalizing any location for largescale Solar PV project implementation.
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: Thursday 27th of June 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.
