Gone are the days when African solar markets were synonymous with small solar home systems. Today, there are numerous applications in Africa: from solar lamps to rooftop systems to solar parks with large battery storage systems. The cross-country analysis for the "Solarize Africa Market Report 2023" has brought many opportunities to light. Africa is on the verge of playing a major role in photovoltaics.
Impressive examples
In Egypt, for example, construction of a 560-megawatt solar park began in early 2023. With an output of ten megawatts, Nigeria's largest photovoltaic plant to date, which had been put out to tender in 2020, went online in February 2023.
See also: Africa’s energy future at a crossroad
At the end of 2022, the Ugandan government signed an agreement for the installation of a total of 120 megawatts. Algeria plans to increase the output of its module plants to more than 850 megawatts in the near future. Countries like Namibia and South Africa want to use the potential of independent power producers and create more incentives for investments in solar plants.
Only one gigawatt newly installed in 2022
Last year, only one gigawatt of new photovoltaic capacity was installed on the African continent. The Corona pandemic had wiped out much of the steady progress made in previous years. BSW expects off-grid solar capacity in Africa to grow. One of the biggest challenges remains the weak grid infrastructure.
Electricity storage units gain in importance
The impact of so-called load shedding even in the developed and economically strongest regions of the continent is causing great frustration among private and commercial consumers. Electricity storage units are increasingly replacing traditionally used diesel generators: in Madagascar, for example, a 40-megawatt solar farm with a battery storage unit five megawatt hours) was recently inaugurated.
Also interesting: West Africa: Huge cost savings with more renewable energy
In Malawi, a 30-megawatt plant with a lithium-ion battery storage system (ten megawatt hours) went into operation in 2022. In Mozambique, a solar park with 19 megawatt output and seven megawatt hours of battery storage is currently being built.
A total of 16 country markets analysed
The report contains detailed analyses of 16 African solar markets. In addition, there are focal points on the off-grid market, on combinations of solar and water as well as on new business models such as "pay-per-go" (payments by mobile phone). In addition, local experts have their say. (HS/mfo)
The "Solarize Africa Market Report 2023" was written by the Becquerel Institute and the German Solar Industry Association (BSW) and is available as a free download here.
