Solar panels in Malindi: size, cost and payback

Solar panels in Malindi receive about 5.79 peak sun hours a day on average, close to the average of 5.8 across Kenya's main towns. Below are three worked examples, a small home, a family home with a water pump and a small shop, each with panel size, battery, estimated cost and payback at KSh 22 per kWh.

The numbers

ExamplePanelsBatteryEstimated costPayback
Small home (lights, TV, fridge): 5 kWh/day 1.1 kWp 1.0 kWh KES 174,076 4.3 years
Family home with water pump: 10 kWh/day 2.2 kWp 2.1 kWh KES 317,008 4.0 years
Small shop or office: 20 kWh/day 4.3 kWp 4.2 kWh KES 634,016 4.0 years

Worked with 5.79 peak sun hours a day and an electricity price of KES 22/kWh, standard-quality equipment and 4 hours of battery backup. Estimates only; get quotes from local installers.

Worth knowing

Malindi sits on the coast, close to sea level. Sunshine peaks in March at about 6.65 hours a day and is lowest in June at about 4.6, a seasonal drop of 31%. That is a large swing: if you rely on solar without the grid, size your panels and battery for the weaker months, not the yearly average.

Size your own system for Malindi →

Questions

How many peak sun hours does Malindi get?

About 5.79 hours a day on average over the year, close to the average of 5.8 across Kenya's main towns. Source: Global Solar Atlas long-term averages.

Which month is weakest for solar in Malindi?

June, at about 4.6 peak sun hours a day. The strongest is March, at about 6.65. 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 Malindi'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.