Solar panels in Lodwar: size, cost and payback

Lodwar gets about 6.43 peak sun hours a day, above the average of 5.8 across Kenya's main towns. The table below sizes solar for a small home, a family home with a water pump and a small shop or office, using Lodwar's own sunshine and KSh 22 per kWh electricity, with estimated cost and payback for each.

The numbers

ExamplePanelsBatteryEstimated costPayback
Small home (lights, TV, fridge): 5 kWh/day 1.2 kWp 2.0 kWh KSh 117,000 3.7 years
Family home with water pump: 10 kWh/day 2.4 kWp 4.0 kWh KSh 245,700 3.9 years
Small shop or office: 20 kWh/day 4.4 kWp 8.0 kWh KSh 462,550 3.7 years

Worked with 6.43 peak sun hours a day and an electricity price of KES 22/kWh, installation included, and a battery sized for 40% of a day's use. Solar is assumed to cover 80% of the bill. Estimates only; get quotes from local installers.

Worth knowing

Lodwar sits at about 505 m above sea level. Sunshine peaks in September at about 6.98 hours a day and is lowest in July at about 5.99, a seasonal drop of 14%. That is a fairly steady year, so a system sized on the yearly average holds up well month to month.

Size your own system for Lodwar →

Questions

How many peak sun hours does Lodwar get?

About 6.43 hours a day on average over the year, above the average of 5.8 across Kenya's main towns. Source: Global Solar Atlas long-term averages.

Which month is weakest for solar in Lodwar?

July, at about 5.99 peak sun hours a day. The strongest is September, at about 6.98. Off-grid systems should be sized with the weaker months in mind.

What electricity price do these estimates use?

KSh 22 per kWh, the typical Kenyan household rate including charges. Payback depends heavily on this figure, so enter your own rate from your bill in the calculator.

How do I size a system for my own home or business?

Use the free calculator. Enter your appliances or your electricity bill, and it applies Lodwar's sun hours to suggest panels, battery and inverter sizes.

Are these costs quotes?

No. They are estimates for standard-quality equipment with 4 hours of battery backup. Ask local installers for quotes before you buy.