6.3 peak sun hours a day
Lodwar receives 6.3 kWh/m² of solar energy a day, so each kilowatt of panels produces roughly 1,798 kWh a year. November is the weakest month; size essential loads to still work then.
Turkana County
Solar power in Turkana County.
What solar, battery backup and EV charging look like in Turkana: Lodwar's solar resource month by month, what a typical system produces, local design points for a arid climate, and a calculator using your KPLC bill.
Some of Kenya's strongest sun
Arid counties receive high, steady solar energy, so each panel produces more than in the highlands. Plan the array for the hottest months, when heat derates output.
Plan for cleaning
Dust and sand settle on panels and can cut output noticeably between rains. Budget for regular cleaning and choose a tilt that sheds dust and rain.
Solar first, diesel as backup
Many sites are far from the grid or have weak supply. Solar with batteries or water storage usually costs less per kWh than running a diesel generator.
Solar water pumpingMonthly solar resource in Lodwar
Long-term average daily solar energy on a horizontal surface and air temperature from NASA POWER, with the output of an example 5 kW system. Near the equator a low-tilt array receives close to the horizontal value.
| Month | Solar energy (kWh/m²/day) | Air temperature (°C) | 5 kW system output (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.49 | 29.3 | 785 |
| February | 6.76 | 30.6 | 738 |
| March | 6.63 | 30.9 | 801 |
| April | 6.12 | 29.8 | 716 |
| May | 6.26 | 29.2 | 757 |
| June | 6.03 | 28.6 | 706 |
| July | 5.98 | 28.2 | 723 |
| August | 6.38 | 28.7 | 771 |
| September | 6.77 | 29.8 | 792 |
| October | 6.32 | 30.0 | 764 |
| November | 5.95 | 29.0 | 696 |
| December | 6.13 | 28.8 | 741 |
| Year | 6.32 average | 29.4 average | 8,989 |
Estimate a system in Turkana
- Solar array
- 3.10 kWp 5 × 620 W panels, about 14 m² of roof
- Inverter
- 3 kW Hybrid, with battery
- Battery
- 6.0 kWh usable About 6.7 kWh nominal lithium (LiFePO₄)
- Estimated savings
- KES 12,452/month 83% of energy charges, KES 149,422 a year
- Solar generation
- 5,573 kWh/year 5,280 kWh used on site
- Simple payback
- Add a quote Before financing and maintenance
Show monthly table
| Month | Generated (kWh) | Used on site (kWh) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 486 | 456 | KES 12,908 |
| Feb | 458 | 412 | KES 11,659 |
| Mar | 497 | 456 | KES 12,908 |
| Apr | 444 | 429 | KES 12,147 |
| May | 469 | 453 | KES 12,832 |
| Jun | 438 | 423 | KES 11,985 |
| Jul | 448 | 434 | KES 12,275 |
| Aug | 478 | 456 | KES 12,908 |
| Sep | 491 | 441 | KES 12,491 |
| Oct | 473 | 456 | KES 12,908 |
| Nov | 431 | 418 | KES 11,825 |
| Dec | 460 | 444 | KES 12,578 |
Want this sized with real equipment, cable runs and supplier prices?
Get a detailed planEstimate only. It uses NASA POWER long-term modelled data for Lodwar, a 78% performance ratio and reviewed KPLC all-in energy rates. Fixed and demand charges, shading, export credit and tariff changes are not included.
Frequently asked questions
How much sun does Turkana get for solar?
Lodwar receives about 6.3 kWh of solar energy per square metre per day on average (6.3 peak sun hours). September is the strongest month at 6.8 and November the weakest at 5.9. Source: NASA POWER long-term modelled data for Lodwar.
How much does a 5 kW solar system produce in Turkana?
About 8,989 kWh a year, or 24.6 kWh a day on average, assuming a 78% performance ratio for heat, dust, wiring and inverter losses. Output ranges from about 696 kWh in November to 792 kWh in September.
How many solar panels does a home in Turkana need?
A home using 300 kWh a month with half of it in daylight needs about 1.0 kW of solar for its daytime use, which is 2 panels of 620 W. Covering evening use as well needs a battery and a larger array. Use the calculator on this page with your own bill.
Can StimaPulse plan a solar, battery or EV charging project in Turkana?
Yes. StimaPulse sizes solar, storage and EV charging for homes, schools, businesses and fleets anywhere in Turkana County, using your bills or meter data, the site's own solar resource, real equipment and supplier quotes. A licensed engineer must verify the final design before installation.
Get a plan for your site.
Bring a utility bill, load list, fleet schedule or supplier quote. We will turn it into a sized, costed and comparable plan.