Paving the Way for a Sustainable Energy Future – South Africa #1

South Africa’s leading position in driving the continent’s transition to renewable energy has been confirmed with the launch of the first-ever Solar Power Africa Trade Show in 2023. Solar Power Africa focuses on creating an environment that fosters the exchange of ideas, knowledge and expertise for furthering solar energy development in Africa. At present, South Africa is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. The country, however, has taken steps to move towards cleaner energy sources, especially solar as the country is blessed with abundant sunshine.

Furthermore, the country is facing the load shedding crisis for the past many years. To deal with the crisis, the South African government have turned towards renewables, including solar PV, for increasing the generation capacity. This has revitalized the country’s solar PV sector. By the end of 2022, South Africa’s cumulative PV capactiy has reached 5.3 GWdc and another 2.4 GWdc is estimated to have been newly installed in 2023.

Against such a background solar PV in South Africa is expected to rise steadily in the coming years. Estimates given in Solar Energy Technology Roadmap (SETRM) indicate that 40 GW of solar PV can be developed in South Africa by 2050. EUPD Research estimates that the cumulative solar PV capacity in South Africa is expected to reach approximately 19 GWdc by 2027. During 2023-27, the country is expected to add around 14 GWdc of solar PV capacity, most of which is expected to come from industrial and utility segment.

EUPD Research, IBESA – International Battery & Energy Storage Alliance and Joint Forces for Solar joined Solar Power Africa 2024 and hosted a Boat Cruise Networking Event in front of the breathtaking Table Mountain at sunset. Focused on fostering dialogue and matchmaking on a regional and international level, this business exchange aimed at connecting with a high-end gathering of trusted industry peers from the most influential South African installers and EPCs. Attendees could experience the EPC / Installer Award ceremony where today’s leading companies have been honored.

Watch

• Markus Hoehner, CEO & Founder at EUPD Research, explaining EUPD Research’s global Top Installer Awards project and its ongoing commitment to boost the energy transition on global and local level.
• Mirriam Nyamukondiwa, Marketing Supervisor SSA at Jinko Solar Co., Ltd., talking about Jinko Solar’s leading positioning in the African continent and development of the major country markets.