Solar panels in Morogoro: size, cost and payback

With about 5.32 peak sun hours a day, below the average of 5.6 across Tanzania's main towns, Morogoro is a practical place for solar. The table shows the panels, battery, estimated cost and payback for three typical users, from a small home to a small shop, priced at TSh 292 per kWh electricity.

The numbers

ExamplePanelsBatteryEstimated costPayback
Small home (lights, TV, fridge): 5 kWh/day 1.2 kWp 1.0 kWh TZS 3,471,468 6.5 years
Family home with water pump: 10 kWh/day 2.4 kWp 2.1 kWh TZS 6,942,936 6.5 years
Small shop or office: 20 kWh/day 4.7 kWp 4.2 kWh TZS 13,264,811 6.2 years

Worked with 5.32 peak sun hours a day and an electricity price of TZS 292/kWh, standard-quality equipment and 4 hours of battery backup. Estimates only; get quotes from local installers.

Worth knowing

Morogoro sits at about 504 m above sea level. Sunshine peaks in November at about 6.31 hours a day and is lowest in June at about 4.22, a seasonal drop of 33%. 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 Morogoro →

Questions

How many peak sun hours does Morogoro get?

About 5.32 hours a day on average over the year, below the average of 5.6 across Tanzania's main towns. Source: Global Solar Atlas long-term averages.

Which month is weakest for solar in Morogoro?

June, at about 4.22 peak sun hours a day. The strongest is November, at about 6.31. Off-grid systems should be sized with the weaker months in mind.

What electricity price do these estimates use?

TSh 292 per kWh, TANESCO's general-use tariff, before VAT. 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 Morogoro'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.