Solar PV Analysis of Kitwe, Zambia
Kitwe, Copperbelt, Zambia is a great place for generating solar power all year round due to its location in the Tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The amount of electricity that can be expected from each kilowatt of installed solar varies slightly with the seasons but it's generally high: 5.93 kilowatt-hours per day in summer, 6.13 in autumn and winter, and 7.01 in spring.
The best time to generate solar energy at this location would be during the spring when you can expect up to 7.01 kilowatt-hours per day from each kilowatt of installed solar panels.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 13 degrees North will give you the most total production from your solar panels throughout the year.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could potentially hamper solar production at this location are concerned, there don't seem to be any significant ones mentioned here so we'll assume none exist unless proven otherwise.
However, it's always good practice when installing a new system to consider potential local issues such as dust accumulation on panels which might reduce their efficiency over time or damage from severe weather like hailstorms if they occur frequently in this area. You should also consider potential shading issues caused by nearby buildings or trees which could block sunlight reaching your panels especially during certain times of day or seasons.
To prevent these issues affecting your energy production too much, regular cleaning and maintenance checks on your system will help keep everything running smoothly and efficiently ensuring maximum output from your investment into renewable energy sources like solar power.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 8 locations across Zambia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Zambia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Kitwe
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -12.7915, Longitude: 28.2197 (Kitwe, Zambia), 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 13° North in Kitwe, Zambia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kitwe, Zambia (Lat/Long -12.7915, 28.2197) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 13° 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 Kitwe, Zambia
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 Kitwe, Zambia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 13° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3° South in Summer | 20° North in Autumn | 29° North in Winter | 7° 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 Kitwe, Zambia
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 Kitwe, Zambia.
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 Kitwe, Zambia
Kitwe, Zambia is located in the Copperbelt province and it's characterized by a savannah landscape. The topography of the region is mostly flat with some small hills, which makes it suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.
The climate in Kitwe is tropical savanna with a rainy season from November to April and a dry season from May to October. This means that there are long periods of sunlight throughout the year, making it an ideal location for solar energy production.
Nearby areas most suited for large-scale solar PV would be those with expansive flat lands that receive abundant sunlight. These include regions south and east of Kitwe such as Luangwa and Lusaka respectively due to their relatively flatter terrains compared to northern parts which are more hilly.
It's also important to consider infrastructure accessibility, proximity to power grids for easy transmission of generated electricity, land ownership rights and environmental impact before setting up such projects.
However, exact feasibility studies need to be conducted on ground by experts considering all these factors before deciding on specific locations.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 23rd 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.
