Today Africa is on the frontier of ushering in a new age of technology in its various economic sectors. As such, the continent needs to provide not only sufficient and sustainable energy but also one that has scalability, ensuring that each sector benefits from it. Thus, experts and innovators have turned to solar energy to power other vital economies while contributing to Africa’s overall market potential.
Indeed the concept of Solar power energy has worked in Africa’s favour over the past few decades. Unfortunately, renewable energy is still relatively new in Africa; thus, only a few benefit from its revolutionary concept. Here is a brief look at how solar energy powers and funds Africa’s ecosystem.
Understanding Africa’s Solar power potential
To understand any concept, we must first understand the context behind it.
The concept of solar energy is no new term in this digital era. The concept of Solar energy dates back to the 7th century BC. It emerged when humans found a way to concentrate the sunbeams to light fire through magnifying glasses. Later on, the Romans and the Greeks harnessed the power of solar energy to heat torches for religious ceremonies. All these instances reflect the fundamental concept behind Africa’s solar power potential.
Most individuals credit the first invention of the solar cell to french scientist Edmond Becquerel. He determined light could increase electrical generation when placing two metal electrodes into a conducting solution. His work would later be the backbone that would lead Africa’s economy into an era of prosperity. However, his work was first tested and proven by Charles Frits in 1883, who produced the first solar cell from selenium wafers.
From this gadget, inventors were able to not only able to duplicate but also improve Charles’s’ initial prototype. After years of ingenuity and evolution, Solar energy became an everlasting form of renewable energy that had the potential to power residences, aeroplanes and even institutions.
How it works
Solar technology converts sunlight into electrical energy through photovoltaic panels or particular objects like mirrors or glass, concentrating solar energy. The first version of a solar cell could convert sunlight to electricity and store it.
As the years went by and Africa missed practically all three industrial revolutions. Fortunately, the concept of solar power energy sensed all too appealing to its ecosystem.
According to World Bank’s Global Solar Atlas, Africa’s solar power potential is considered a “unique opportunity”. They further explained that given the specific climate changes in Africa, solar energy could be a haven for perpetual energy that is affordable, reliable and leaves a minimum carbon footprint. It’s a goldmine if strategically placed within Africa’s market and could control most organizations within the facility.
Top actors within Africa’s solar power potential
It is common to hear various countries mentioned in Africa, especially in the context of Africa’s economy. These countries have each given significance to the use of Africa’s solar power and intent to harness its potential to power their economy. Here is a look at the top African countries involved with this renewable energy.
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Kenya
Kenya is renowned as one of the few top countries to dive into the world of technology. Its exploits have appeared in topics such as Blockchain, AI, Agriculture, etc. Thus it is no surprise it would appear in this category. Kenya is one of the global leaders in the number of solar power systems installed per capita.
Due to the various financial inclusions of the country, more and more citizens turn to use renewable energy as a cheaper and more stable power source. The country is one of the world’s top tiers producing solar energy. In 2021, Kenya acquired an additional 55MW capacity, a pioneering record for Africa’s foremost tourism tradition. Its government has even advocated using solar energy as an alternative to renewable energy sources.
The Kenyan government undertook this initiative and implemented various policies to support the development of solar power plants and projects. These policies have been highly met with good faith as investors have flooded its ecosystem.
South Africa
South Africa is another pioneer for the African solar power potential. Currently, South Africa is one of the leading countries in the global market, and this is due to the open nature of South Africa and its governments. ‘
The concept of solar energy came from the Renewable Energy independent power Programme launched in 2020. Furthermore, SA is one of the fastest growth rates when it comes to renewable energy. The country invested a total of $16.4 billion in constructing renewable energy projects.
This initiative is to enhance energy security within the country. South Africa has 93 completed and successful projects and continues to dedicate its funding to Africa’s solar power potential, hoping it will pay off in the long run. South Africa’s government aims to produce 8400 MW by 2030, which will power 1.5 million residents. So far, it has only produced 1,360 MW of solar power and utilized its capabilities within Africa’s market. 1,530 MW is still under construction. While going in terms of figures, South Africa is the most significant African solar power and can propel Africa’s economy to new heights.
Ghana
This African country claims fourth in the total ranking of Africa’s solar power potential. In Ghana, solar energy is by far one of the most lucrative investments to make today. Its government has set aside an ambitious target of generating 5% of the country’s electricity from solar energy. This would represent approximately 250 MW of electricity needed, a feat not for the faint of heart.
Due to this ambition, the government has set several projects, policies and initiatives to support its end goal throughout the country. Over 20 MW of solar PV plants are operating, generating 100 MW of solar capacity. In addition, Ghana contains the Nzama projects, the largest solar PV plant in Africa, currently valued at 155 MW. Within West Africa, Ghana ranks at the top in solar energy production, showcasing its every intent to transform its economy’s electrical supply to solar energy.
The government of Ghana has to implement several initiatives within the country to create a favourite vile investment climate for solar energy companies. It has improved net metering regulations, provided tax incentives and launched a feed-in traffic program to support renewable energy development.
Morocco
Morocco is among the top Northern African countries that have heavily invested in solar energy and improved Africa’s economy. Among this list, Morocco is the only nation that seeks to generate at least 50% of its activity from solar energy by 2030. This vision is pretty close since Morocco currently exports solar energy to Europe. This feat has allowed the country to decrease domestic electricity costs and improve its economic resilience.
In addition, it has strengthened its economic and social relations with the EU. Today Morocco is considered a Mega Solar plant due to its high adoption of solar energy. According to reports, Morocco has invested at least $5.2 billion in solar projects.
According to their country’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, Morocco has the highest potential to become the destination of renewable energy. The country produces 4030 MW from renewable energy out of the total generating capacity of 11,000 MW. This additional 4,516 MW powers various operations within North Africa. It’s one of the leading African solar power nations exporting to places such as Spain, Portugal and the UK.
How Africa’s solar power benefits the continent.
As a continent, Africa leads the world in Solar Power potential, and many investors and organizations have set up shop within the country to harness this renewable energy potential. Moreso, Northern countries such as Morocco are one of the leading economies that thrive due to Solar energy. Morocco has plans to expand the Ouarzazate Solar Power Station to make it the most significant worldwide sun-based electricity facility.
One of the few advantages of Africa’s solar power is its ability to empower the local man. One of the few problems Africa’s energy sector has is its need for access from rural areas. Such areas often suffer from low electrical permeation. Hospitals and clinics cannot run on electricity. They survive primarily on diesel-powered generators. If electricity is available, it is of poor quality and is susceptible to plenty of power outages.
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Solar energy directly empowers individuals, organizations and Hospitals. A testimony from a local Kenyan vendor stated that with Solar power energy, she could open a shop despite the late hours allowing them more time to trade and acquire income. As previously stated, Solar energy can power residential homes. It is also a better alternative to ordinary electricity. This clean and renewable energy source can provide cheap, affordable, resilient energy sources to homestead.
Africa’s economy greatly benefits from the exportation of solar energy. Indeed solar energy is exported to other countries outside Africa. Morocco, one of the few leading African countries in solar energy, exports a portion of its production to the EU, Spain and the UK. In addition, the developments of solar panels are also an in-demand facility inside and outside the continents. To reach its consumers more readily, experts within the continent have designed photovoltaic panels that do not depend on a network or electrical grids.
Solar is a power source
In fact, from a country’s view, developing a solar energy power plan is cheaper than centralized grid-connected electricity. Apart from the environmentally friendly attributes, it provides power to other economic activities within the continent. In Kenya, a small fishing village known as Kiunga has formed quite a peculiar partnership. The village used solar panels to desalinate ocean water with the capability to deliver water to 35000 residents, which is ten times the village’s current population.
Africa’s solar panel potential goes beyond aspects of funding since water shortage is indeed a detrimental factor that hinders the continent. In Tanzania, innovators have composed an ingenious concept of mini-grids to deliver this power. These mini-grids enable Tanzanian villages to afford electricity for the first time to create education opportunities, improve security and cater for other aspects within the village.
Understanding that Africa generates 9% of its energy from renewable resources is detrimental. If this figure were to grow to 25%, the impact of solar energy would echo throughout participating nations. It can reduce electrical costs to power our manufacturing industry while providing cheap and clean energy to cater to other sectors. Despite this, renewable energy has a place within Africa’s market. It can reduce the funding for cheaper power and utilize its energy power for various operations. If Africa can tap into its potential as a rich Solar energy power source, we can transform our economy exponentially.
