Solar PV Analysis of Randburg, South Africa
Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa, is generally a good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity you can produce with solar panels varies by season due to changes in sunlight intensity and duration. In summer, you can expect about 6.38 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This decreases slightly in autumn to around 5.81 kWh/day per kW, drops further in winter to around 4.80 kWh/day per kW, but then rises again in spring to about 7.23 kWh/day per kW.
The best times of the year for generating solar energy at this location are during the spring and summer seasons when sunlight is abundant and intense.
When installing your solar panels at this location, it's recommended that they be tilted at an angle of 24 degrees facing North to get maximum sun exposure throughout the year.
As far as local factors that could potentially hinder your ability to generate solar power here go – there aren't any significant ones worth noting specifically for Randburg; however general considerations apply such as ensuring your panels are not shaded by trees or buildings which would reduce their efficiency significantly.
Regular cleaning and maintenance will also help ensure optimal operation; dust or debris on the panel surface can block sunlight thus reducing output performance so keeping them clean is important.
In conclusion, while seasonal variations do exist in how much energy one can generate from a fixed panel installation depending on time of year - overall Randburg presents a favourable environment for harnessing solar power efficiently all year round given its geographical position within Southern Sub Tropics zone where sunlight is plentiful most days.
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 Randburg
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -26.0884, Longitude: 27.9895 (Randburg, 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 Randburg, South Africa
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Randburg, South Africa (Lat/Long -26.0884, 27.9895) 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 Randburg, 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 Randburg, 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 Randburg, 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 Randburg, 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 Randburg, South Africa
Randburg is located in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, which is known for its high-altitude grassland. The region has a relatively flat topography with occasional hills and plateaus. It lies on the Highveld Plateau, which provides it with a generally flat and open terrain.
The climate in Randburg is subtropical highland with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. This makes it potentially suited for large-scale solar PV installations.
However, when choosing areas for large-scale solar PV installations, factors such as land use (agricultural or urban), proximity to power grids or infrastructures, local regulations and environmental impact must also be considered.
In general terms:
1) Open fields/flatlands: These areas are ideal because they provide maximum exposure to sunlight without any obstructions like mountains or tall buildings.
2) Rooftops in industrial zones: Industrial zones often have large buildings that can accommodate rooftop solar panels. They are already connected to the grid and do not require additional infrastructure.
3) Unused land near existing power lines: These locations can minimize costs associated with connecting to the grid since infrastructure already exists.
Nearby regions like Johannesburg's industrial areas could be suitable due their vast rooftops and existing electrical infrastructure. Other potential sites might include less productive agricultural lands where installation would not interfere with farming activities.
Remember that this assessment should ideally be complemented by more detailed studies including solar irradiation levels, land prices and availability among other factors.
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: Saturday 1st 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.
