Solar PV Analysis of Fourways, South Africa
Fourways, Gauteng, South Africa is a pretty good spot for producing solar energy all year round. This is because it gets a decent amount of sunlight every day throughout the year. In simple terms, you get more electricity from your solar panels when there's more sun.
In summer and spring, you can expect to generate the most power because these are the sunniest seasons. The average daily energy production in summer would be 6.38 kilowatt-hours (kWh) for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity and even higher in spring at 7.23 kWh/day per kW. Autumn isn't too bad either with an average of 5.81 kWh/day per kW but winter has the least sunshine so you'd get around 4.80 kWh/day per kW.
To make sure you're getting as much power as possible from your solar panels, they should be tilted at an angle of 24 degrees facing North if they are fixed in place and not adjustable.
As far as potential issues go that could impact how much power your panels produce, it really depends on local weather conditions or environmental factors that might block sunlight like tall buildings or trees for example; any kind of shade will reduce output from your panels.
If there are such obstacles near where you plan to install your panels then it would be best to try and position them somewhere else where they won't be shaded if possible or trim back any overhanging branches etc., You may also need to clean dust off them regularly especially during dry periods when dust can accumulate quickly which also reduces their efficiency by blocking sunlight.
So overall Fourways is quite suitable for generating solar energy but like anywhere else careful planning and regular maintenance will ensure maximum power production.
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 Fourways
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -26.0343, Longitude: 27.9844 (Fourways, 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 24° North in Fourways, South Africa
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fourways, South Africa (Lat/Long -26.0343, 27.9844) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 24° 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 Fourways, 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 Fourways, South Africa. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 24° 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 Fourways, 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 Fourways, 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 Fourways, South Africa
Fourways, South Africa is located in the province of Gauteng. The area's topography is primarily flat and plateau-like, being part of the Highveld region of South Africa which sits at a high altitude with an average elevation around 1500-1800 meters above sea level.
The climate in Fourways and surrounding areas is typically sunny for most parts of the year making it suitable for solar PV installation. However, since it's a developed urban area with dense residential and commercial buildings, large-scale solar PV systems might face space constraints.
Nearby areas that would be more suited to large-scale solar PV installations could include less densely populated regions or those with larger open spaces such as agricultural lands or unused industrial sites. Areas to the north-west like Hartbeespoort or Brits have more open land available which may be suitable for such installations. Other options could be utilizing rooftops of large commercial buildings within Fourways itself or nearby industrial areas like Midrand and Centurion.
It's also important to note that any location chosen should ideally have good access to the electrical grid for power distribution purposes unless off-grid solutions are being considered.
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: Wednesday 20th of March 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.
