Solar PV Analysis of Randfontein, South Africa
The location at Randfontein, Gauteng, South Africa is quite good for generating energy through solar power all year round. This is because it receives a decent amount of sunlight in every season, with the highest output in Spring (7.23 kilowatt hours per day) and lowest in Winter (4.80 kilowatt hours per day). So, you can generate more solar energy during Spring followed by Summer.
To get the most out of your solar panels over the entire year at this location, you should tilt them 25 degrees to the North. This will help capture as much sunlight as possible throughout each day of every season.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect how much energy you can produce from your solar panels. These could include things like dust or sandstorms which might cover your panels and reduce their efficiency. Also if there are many cloudy or rainy days this could also reduce how much sunlight reaches your panels.
To overcome these potential issues and ensure greater energy production from your solar setup:
1) Regular maintenance: Keep an eye on weather forecasts and clean off any dust or debris that may accumulate on the surface of the panels after such events.
2) Use high-quality equipment: Investing in high-quality solar panels that are highly efficient and resilient to harsh weather conditions can ensure better performance even during less-than-ideal situations.
3) Optimize placement: Avoid placing your installation near tall buildings or trees that might cast shadows over it for large parts of the day.
In conclusion, while Randfontein's position within Southern Sub Tropics makes it a great place for generating solar PV electricity all year round; keeping track of environmental factors like dust storms or heavy cloud cover will help maximize its potential.
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 Randfontein
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -26.1663, Longitude: 27.6986 (Randfontein, 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 Randfontein, South Africa
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Randfontein, South Africa (Lat/Long -26.1663, 27.6986) 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 Randfontein, 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 Randfontein, 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 Randfontein, 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 Randfontein, 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 Randfontein, South Africa
Randfontein, South Africa is located on the western part of the Gauteng province. The topography is generally flat to slightly rolling plains and largely consists of grasslands with a few scattered trees. The area has an average elevation of about 1,700 meters above sea level.
The flatness and high solar irradiance in this region make it suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. Areas with little to no shading throughout the year would be ideal for such projects.
Areas that could be most suited for large-scale solar PV include open fields or farmlands around Randfontein where there are minimal obstructions to sunlight exposure. These could include areas towards Westonaria to the south, Krugersdorp to the north-east, and potentially parts of Soweto further east if space permits.
However, before any installation can take place, thorough site assessments including environmental impact studies will need to be conducted as per standard procedures and regulations in South Africa.
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 8th 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.
