Solar power generation in rural Namibia

Can solar energy sustain Namibia's electricity demand?

The United Nations Development Programme and the International Renewable Energy Agency were some of the international organizations that work in close collaboration with the government of Namibia to promote renewable energies. It was reported that solar energy alone cannot sustain the electricity demand of the country.

Does Namibia have a big solar project?

Namibia has much larger solar and renewable energy development aspirations, as well. Both Namibia and neighboring Botswana are working with the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Future Council on Energy to develop a huge, five-gigawatt (GW) solar power project over the next two decades.

How much solar radiation does Namibia have?

The country's average high direct solar insolation is 2200 kWh/m 2 /year, with a cover of minimum clouds . The southern region of Namibia experiences -on average- 11 hours of sunshine/day, and an average direct solar radiation of 3000 kWh/m2/year .

How much solar energy does Namibia generate a year?

With approx. 300 sunny days and over 3,000 sun hours per year, the annual solar irradiation reaches values of 2,200 to 2,400 kWh/m2. Due to the constantly high irradiation, PV systems in Namibia generate twice as much electricity as comparable systems in Germany on an annual average.

What are the solar conditions in Namibia?

The solar conditions in the Namibian region are to be considered of the best worldwide for solar generation . The country's average high direct solar insolation is 2200 kWh/m 2 /year, with a cover of minimum clouds .

How will solar technology affect the future of electricity in Namibia?

However, if this is implemented, the tariff of electricity will drop and eventually affect the future of solar energy. The future of solar technologies in Namibia does not only depends on the implementation of photovoltaic and concentrated solar panel, but also on the various ways of acquiring the energy.