Solar PV Analysis of Oudtshoorn, South Africa
Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, South Africa is a decent location for year-round solar energy generation. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies throughout the year due to seasonal differences in sunlight. During summer, each kilowatt of installed solar can produce about 8.36 kilowatt-hours per day. This number drops to 4.88 and 3.77 kilowatt-hours per day in autumn and winter respectively, but rises again to 6.84 kilowatt-hours per day in spring.
This means that the best time of year for generating solar power at this location would be during the sunnier seasons - summer and spring - when there's more sunlight available for conversion into electricity.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 30 degrees towards North will maximize their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year, thereby optimizing total yearly production.
As far as environmental or weather factors are concerned that could impede solar production here; Oudtshoorn is known for its semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters which generally favours good solar output potential most times of the year except perhaps during peak winter months when daylight hours are minimal.
However, one significant factor might be dust accumulation on panels which can reduce their efficiency over time by blocking incoming sunlight from reaching the cells within them properly if not cleaned regularly.
To prevent this issue from affecting energy production significantly it's advisable to install a system for regular cleaning (either manual or automated) so dust doesn't build up on your panels' surfaces excessively; ensuring they remain clean enough to capture maximum possible amount of incoming light consistently 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 Oudtshoorn
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.5864, Longitude: 22.2014 (Oudtshoorn, 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 30° North in Oudtshoorn, South Africa
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Oudtshoorn, South Africa (Lat/Long -33.5864, 22.2014) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Oudtshoorn, 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 Oudtshoorn, South Africa. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18° North in Summer | 39° North in Autumn | 49° North in Winter | 27° 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 Oudtshoorn, 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 Oudtshoorn, 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 Oudtshoorn, South Africa
Oudtshoorn, South Africa is located in the Western Cape province and is part of the Little Karoo region. The topography of Oudtshoorn consists mainly of semi-arid plains surrounded by mountains, specifically the Swartberg range to the north and Outeniqua Mountains to the south.
This area has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, receiving more than 300 days of sunshine per year on average which makes it suitable for solar PV installations.
The vast flatlands in and around Oudtshoorn would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations due to their high exposure to sunlight throughout the year. Areas such as De Rust or Dysselsdorp could potentially be good locations given their proximity to Oudtshoorn and relatively flat terrain.
However, any plans for large-scale solar PV would need careful assessment considering factors like land use (agricultural activities), local flora and fauna, potential impact on local communities, distance from power grid infrastructure 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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 27th 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.
