How has East Africa benefited from solar energy?

Innovative financing mechanisms, such as pay-as-you-go (PAYG) models, have enabled households with limited incomes to afford solar energy systems. Governments in East Africa have been implementing various policies and regulations to promote renewable energy development and attract investment.

Is solar power a decentralised Revolution in Africa?

Globally most solar PV is built by utilities, but in Africa 65% of new capacity over the past two years has come from large firms contracting directly with developers. These deals are part of a decentralised revolution that could be of huge benefit to African economies. Read more in our series on solar energy:

Are large-scale solar projects a testament to Africa's wind energy ambitions?

Large-scale solar projects, including utility-scale solar parks and off-grid solar installations, continue to proliferate across the region; on this regard the Lake Turkana Wind Power project in Kenya, one of the largest wind farms in Africa, stands as a testament to the region's wind energy ambitions.

Does South Africa have a solar power plant?

All together South Africa’s solar capacity could now be almost a fifth of that of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations (albeit those still have a higher “capacity factor”, or ability to produce electricity around the clock). The growth of solar is a key reason why there has been less load-shedding in 2024.

Is solar power the solution to Africa's energy crisis?

Solar power is increasingly seen as the solution. Last year Africa installed a record amount of photovoltaic (PV) capacity (though this still made up just 1% of the total added worldwide), notes the African Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), a trade group.

Which country has the best solar energy?

Chile combines some of the best solar resources in the world with a government committed to the energy transition. Solarcentury built the 40 MWp Doña Carmen project in 2017 supplying clean energy to the equivalent of 21,000 homes each year. The UK is home to Solarcentury’s most iconic projects including Blackfriars Bridge.