Solar PV Analysis of Makwassie, South Africa
Makwassie, North West, South Africa is a fairly good location for generating solar energy year-round. This means that if you install solar panels here, they can produce a decent amount of electricity throughout the year. The best times to generate solar energy in this area are during the summer and spring seasons when each kilowatt of installed solar can produce 6.92 and 7.73 kilowatt-hours per day respectively.
During autumn, each kilowatt of installed solar will produce about 5.90 kilowatt-hours per day while in winter it drops slightly to around 4.80 kilowatt-hours per day.
To get the most out of your solar panels in Makwassie all year round, it's best to tilt them at an angle of 25 degrees facing North.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can generate from your panels such as weather conditions or environmental issues like dust or dirt accumulation on the panels which could reduce their efficiency over time.
For instance, if Makwassie experiences heavy rainfall or snowfall during certain seasons (particularly winter), this could limit sunlight exposure and thus reduce electricity production from your panels during those periods. Also, high winds may cause debris to cover the panels reducing their effectiveness too.
Similarly, if there are a lot of dusty days due to local climate conditions or other factors like nearby construction activities etc., dust particles might accumulate on the surface of your panels blocking sunlight and requiring frequent cleaning which may not always be feasible depending upon accessibility etc.
Therefore, if you're planning to install solar PV in Makwassie it would be wise to consider these potential challenges and plan accordingly - perhaps by installing automatic panel cleaners or protective covers for extreme weather events etc., so as not only increase overall productivity but also help prolong lifespan & maintain optimal performance levels over time.
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 Makwassie
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -27.3167, Longitude: 25.983 (Makwassie, 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 Makwassie, South Africa
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Makwassie, South Africa (Lat/Long -27.3167, 25.983) 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 Makwassie, 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 Makwassie, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11° North in Summer | 33° North in Autumn | 43° North in Winter | 21° 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 Makwassie, 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 Makwassie, 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 Makwassie, South Africa
Makwassie is located in the North West Province of South Africa. The topography around this area is relatively flat with a few rolling hills, which are typical characteristics of the Highveld region in South Africa. It also experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters.
Given these conditions, large-scale solar PV projects would be well-suited to this area due to the high levels of sunlight received throughout the year. Areas that are flat and open would be ideal for such installations as they provide maximum exposure to sunlight and ease of installation.
Nearby areas that could be suitable include open farmland or unused industrial land where there's minimal obstruction to sunlight. It's important however to consider other factors such as proximity to power grids for transmission, environmental impact assessments, local regulations and community acceptance when planning for large scale solar PV projects.
In terms of specific locations nearby Makwassie, it would require more detailed local knowledge or site surveys. However, areas towards the west like Klerksdorp or Potchefstroom might have potential given their similar climatic conditions and availability of flat lands.
Remember though that while general topography can suggest suitability for solar energy production, actual feasibility requires much more detailed study including specific plot analysis, understanding local weather patterns (like cloud cover), infrastructure assessment etc.
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 24th 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.
