Solar panels in Zanzibar City: size, cost and payback

Solar panels in Zanzibar City receive about 5.56 peak sun hours a day on average, close to the average of 5.6 across Tanzania'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 TSh 292 per kWh.

The numbers

ExamplePanelsBatteryEstimated costPayback
Small home (lights, TV, fridge): 5 kWh/day 1.1 kWp 1.0 kWh TZS 3,471,468 6.5 years
Family home with water pump: 10 kWh/day 2.2 kWp 2.1 kWh TZS 6,321,876 5.9 years
Small shop or office: 20 kWh/day 4.5 kWp 4.2 kWh TZS 12,643,751 5.9 years

Worked with 5.56 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

Zanzibar City sits on the coast, close to sea level. Sunshine peaks in February at about 6.29 hours a day and is lowest in May at about 4.69, a seasonal drop of 25%. 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 Zanzibar City →

Questions

How many peak sun hours does Zanzibar City get?

About 5.56 hours a day on average over the year, close to the average of 5.6 across Tanzania's main towns. Source: Global Solar Atlas long-term averages.

Which month is weakest for solar in Zanzibar City?

May, at about 4.69 peak sun hours a day. The strongest is February, at about 6.29. 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 Zanzibar City'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.