Solar power in Africa

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Global Horizontal Irradiance in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sub Saharan Africa GHI Solar-resource-map GlobalSolarAtlas World-Bank-Esmap-Solargis.png
Global Horizontal Irradiance in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Global Horizontal Irradiance in North Africa and the Middle East. Middle-East-and-North-Africa GHI mid-size-map 220x119mm-300dpi v20170928.png
Global Horizontal Irradiance in North Africa and the Middle East.

Africa is often considered and referred as the "Sun continent" or the continent where the Sun's influence is the greatest. [2] According to the "World Sunshine Map", Africa receives many more hours of bright sunshine during the course of the year than any other continent of the Earth: [3] and many of the sunniest countries on the planet are in Africa. [4]

Contents

Despite its immense solar power potential, Africa continues to lag behind other continents when it comes to building up grid and off-grid solar capacity, in part due to a lack of investment. [5] [6]

Solar potential

The whole continent has a long duration of sunshine, and excluding the large areas of tropical rainforests (the Guinean Forests of West Africa and much of the Congo Basin), as the desert and savannah regions of Africa represent Earth's largest cloud-free area. [7] Africa is dominated by clear skies even beyond deserts (ex : Sahara, Namib, Kalahari), [8] however, the regions located along the equator are considerably cloudier than the tropics and subtropics.

The eastern Sahara/northeastern Africa is particularly noted for its world sunshine records. The area experiences some of the greatest mean annual duration of bright sunshine, [9] with the sun shining brightly for approximatively 4,300 hours a year, [10] equivalent to 97% of the possible total. [11] This region also has the highest mean annual values of solar radiation [12] [13] (the maximum recorded being over 220 kcal/cm2). [14]

The low latitude of the landmass is another asset: much of the continent lies in the intertropical zone, where the intensity and the strength of the sunlight are always high. The area contains lots of vast sun-drenched arid and semi-arid expanses in the north, in the south, and to a lesser extent in the east. About two fifths of the continent are desert, and thus continuously sunny.

The combination of all these geographical and climatic factors is the cause of the large solar potential of Africa. The number of days of sunlight allows the potential of bringing solar power to much of Africa without large scale grid infrastructure. [15]

The distribution of solar resources across Africa is fairly uniform, with more than 85% of the continent's landscape receiving a global solar horizontal irradiation at or over 2,000 kWh/(m2 year). [16] [17] [18] Also, the theoretical reserves of Africa's solar energy are estimated at 60,000,000 TWh/year, which accounts for almost 40% of the global total, thus making Africa the most sun-rich continent in the world. [19]

Pay-as-you-go Solar

A small solar installation in Botswana Solar panels and elephants.jpg
A small solar installation in Botswana

Pay-as-you-go Solar System offers credit to poorer customers in rural Africa, thereby allowing them to invest in infrastructure for their homes. The most consistent approach to tackling this huge obstacle to development has come with the off-grid pay-as-you-go solar power model, now called PayGo, which in some countries such as Malawi where a company called Yellow [20] is electrifying the population faster than grid electricity. PayGo system leverage the technologies of Mobile money to receive payments from their customers allowing them to pay from rural locations without a smartphone or access to internet.

Solar photovoltaics

Solar Power Plant near Keetmanshoop, Namibia Solar Power Plant Keetmanshoop.jpg
Solar Power Plant near Keetmanshoop, Namibia

Declining solar equipment costs were expected to significantly increase solar installations in Africa with an industry projection forecasting that the continent's annual PV market would expand to 2.2 GW by 2018. [21] Future installations for harvesting solar energy in Africa will tend not to be found within the equatorial and subequatorial climate zones, that are located in the western part of Central Africa usually near the equator but that extend as far north and south as the 8th or 9th parallel in both hemispheres, since they are systematically linked with almost permanent cloud cover and only intermittent bright sunshine. Therefore, countries that entirely lie in this wet-humid zone such as the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Senegal [22] are by far the least favoured in solar power of all the continent and except for these eight quoted nations, each other African country experiences over 2,700 hours of bright sunshine on at least a part of its territory. Many perpetually sunny African nations like Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Niger, Sudan, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia for instance could rely on developing their tremendous solar resources on a large scale thanks to the immense surface of their territory and at reduced prices.

By 2023, South Africa had installed 500 MW in concentrated solar power, 2286 MW in utility scale solar, [23] and 4400 MW in rooftop solar. [9] Several 75 MW PV plants and 2 CSP plants at 100 MW each were the largest in the country and among the largest in Africa. South Africa has announced a plan to install a minigrid on Robben Island; adding PV and battery storage is predicted to reduce diesel usage by half. [24]

A 55 MW photovoltaic power plant has been constructed in Garissa in Kenya, a city located at the equator where the sun is said to shine for about 3,144 hours each year on average, and it is expected to produce approximately 76,473 MWh/year. [25]

Ghana, which aims to produce 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, has commissioned several projects, including a floating solar power plant in the reservoir of the Bui Dam. [26]

There are also many small-scale modular solar power installations being implemented across the continent at the village and household levels. [27] In 2015, Sub-Saharan Africa was the leading region for purchases of off-grid solar products. [28]

Solar thermal power

Bird's eye view of Khi Solar One (October 2016) Focusing light above the tower KhiSolarOneBirdView.jpg
Bird's eye view of Khi Solar One (October 2016)
Focusing light above the tower

The Kingdom of Morocco’s solar plan, which is one of the world’s largest solar energy projects and estimated to cost about $9 billion, was introduced in November 2009 with the aim of establishing 2,000 MW of solar power by 2020. Five sites have been selected for the development of solar power plants combining a number of technologies including concentrated solar power, parabolic trough as well as photovoltaics, with the 500MW phase one solar power complex at Ouarzazate being the first to be developed. [29] [30] [31] The first part of the 500MW project, the 160MW Noor I came online in 2016 and uses parabolic trough concentrated solar power technology. [32] Morocco, the only African country to have a power cable link to Europe, aims to benefit from energy sales to Europe. One such initiative was Desertec. [33]

South Africa has developed several solar thermal plants, both parabolic trough and power tower types. In 2017, it was the leading country in Africa for both solar thermal and PV solar energy.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar energy</span> Radiant light and heat from the Sun, harnessed with technology

Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar power to generate electricity, solar thermal energy, and solar architecture. It is an essential source of renewable energy, and its technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on how they capture and distribute solar energy or convert it into solar power. Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic systems, concentrated solar power, and solar water heating to harness the energy. Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light-dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power by country</span>

Many countries and territories have installed significant solar power capacity into their electrical grids to supplement or provide an alternative to conventional energy sources. Solar power plants use one of two technologies:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Australia</span>

Solar power is a major contributor to electricity supply in Australia. As of December 2023, Australia's over 3.69 million solar PV installations had a combined capacity of 34.2 GW photovoltaic (PV) solar power. In 2019, 59 solar PV projects with a combined capacity of 2,881 MW were either under construction, constructed or due to start construction having reached financial closure. Solar accounted for 12.4% of Australia's total electrical energy production in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Spain</span>

Spain is one of the first countries to deploy large-scale solar photovoltaics, and is the world leader in concentrated solar power (CSP) production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power</span> Conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity

Solar power, also known as solar electricity, is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV) or indirectly using concentrated solar power. Solar panels use the photovoltaic effect to convert light into an electric current. Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and solar tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight to a hot spot, often to drive a steam turbine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Canada</span> Overview of solar power in Canada

Historically, the main applications of solar energy technologies in Canada have been non-electric active solar system applications for space heating, water heating and drying crops and lumber. In 2001, there were more than 12,000 residential solar water heating systems and 300 commercial/ industrial solar hot water systems in use. These systems presently comprise a small fraction of Canada's energy use, but some government studies suggest they could make up as much as five percent of the country's energy needs by the year 2025.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concentrated solar power</span> Use of mirror or lens assemblies to heat a working fluid for electricity generation

Concentrated solar power systems generate solar power by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight into a receiver. Electricity is generated when the concentrated light is converted to heat, which drives a heat engine connected to an electrical power generator or powers a thermochemical reaction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Growth of photovoltaics</span> Worldwide growth of photovoltaics

Between 1992 and 2023, the worldwide usage of photovoltaics (PV) increased exponentially. During this period, it evolved from a niche market of small-scale applications to a mainstream electricity source. From 2016-2022 it has seen an annual capacity and production growth rate of around 26%- doubling approximately every three years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renewable energy in Morocco</span>

As of 2019, renewable energy in Morocco covered 35% of the country’s electricity needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy in South Africa</span>

South Africa has a large energy sector, being the third-largest economy in Africa. The country consumed 227 TWh of electricity in 2018. The vast majority of South Africa's electricity was produced from coal, with the fuel responsible for 88% of production in 2017. South Africa is the 7th largest coal producer in the world. As of July 2018, South Africa had a coal power generation capacity of 39 gigawatts (GW). South Africa is the world's 14th largest emitter of greenhouse gases. South Africa is planning to shift away from coal in the electricity sector and the country produces the most solar and wind energy by terawatt-hours in Africa. The country aims to decommission 34 GW of coal-fired power capacity by 2050. It also aims to build at least 20 GW of renewable power generation capacity by 2030. South Africa aims to generate 77,834 megawatts (MW) of electricity by 2030, with new capacity coming significantly from renewable sources to meet emission reduction targets. Through its goals stated in the Integrated Resource Plan, it announced the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, which aims to increase renewable power generation through private sector investment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Italy</span>

Solar power is an important contributor to electricity generation in Italy, accounting for 8% of the total in 2017. As of 2022, the country has a total installed capacity of 22.56 GW. In 2019, Italy set a national goal of reaching 50 GW by 2030.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Photovoltaic power station</span> Large-scale photovoltaic system

A photovoltaic power station, also known as a solar park, solar farm, or solar power plant, is a large-scale grid-connected photovoltaic power system designed for the supply of merchant power. They are different from most building-mounted and other decentralized solar power because they supply power at the utility level, rather than to a local user or users. Utility-scale solar is sometimes used to describe this type of project.

Solar power in France including overseas territories reached an installed capacity figure of 11.2 GW in 2020, and rose further to 17.1 GW at the end of 2022. Government plans announced in 2022 foresee solar PV capacity in France rising to 100 GW by 2050.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Mexico</span> Overview of solar power in Mexico

Solar power in Mexico has the potential to produce vast amounts of energy. 70% of the country has an insolation of greater than 4.5 kWh/m2/day. Using 15% efficient photovoltaics, a square 25 km (16 mi) on each side in the state of Chihuahua or the Sonoran Desert could supply all of Mexico's electricity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in South Africa</span> Overview of the use of solar power in South Africa

Solar power in South Africa includes photovoltaics (PV) as well as concentrated solar power (CSP). As of July 2024, South Africa had 2,287 MW of installed utility-scale PV solar power capacity in its grid, in addition to 5,791 MW of rooftop solar and 500 MW of CSP. Installed capacity is expected to reach 8,400 MW by 2030.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Morocco</span>

Solar power in Morocco is enabled by the country having one of the highest rates of solar insolation among other countries— about 3,000 hours per year of sunshine but up to 3,600 hours in the desert. Morocco has launched one of the world’s largest solar energy projects costing an estimated $9 billion. The aim of the project was to create 2,000 megawatts of solar generation capacity by 2020. The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), a public-private venture, was established to lead the project. The first plant, Ouarzazate Solar Power Station, was commissioned in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renewable energy in Nepal</span>

Renewable energy in Nepal is a sector that is rapidly developing in Nepal. While Nepal mainly relies on burning biomass for its energy needs, solar and wind power is being seen as an important supplement to solve its energy crisis. The most common form of renewable energy in Nepal is hydroelectricity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renewable energy in South Africa</span>

Renewable energy in South Africa is energy generated in South Africa from renewable resources, those that naturally replenish themselves—such as sunlight, wind, tides, waves, rain, biomass, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy focuses on four core areas: electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling, transportation, and rural energy services. The energy sector in South Africa is an important component of global energy regimes due to the country's innovation and advances in renewable energy. South Africa's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is ranked as moderate and its per capita emission rate is higher than the global average. Energy demand within the country is expected to rise steadily and double by 2025.

References

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  2. ↑ Griffiths, I.L. (2013). The Atlas of African Affairs. Taylor & Francis. p. 15. ISBN   9781135855529 . Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  3. ↑ Powell, R.; Bowden, D.; Tresemer, D.; Bento, W.; Farrants, W.; Gray, B.; Dann, K.; Paul, L.; Lainson, C.M.L.; Nurney, S. (2012). Journal for Star Wisdom 2013. Lindisfarne Books. ISBN   9781584201366 . Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  4. ↑ "Sunniest Places and Countries in the World - Current Results". currentresults.com. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  5. ↑ "A Snapshot of Global PV (1992-2015)" (PDF). IEA. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  6. ↑ Masterson, Victoria (2022-09-23). "Africa is leading the way in solar power potential".
  7. ↑ Daniels, S.; Lee, R. (2014). Exploring Human Geography: A Reader. Taylor & Francis. p. 425. ISBN   9781317859222 . Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  8. ↑ "News - Thirteen years of cloud cover, in one beautiful map - The Weather Network". theweathernetwork.com. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  9. 1 2 Holford, Ingrid (July 1, 1977). The Guinness Book of Weather Facts and Feats . Guinness Superlatives. ISBN   9780900424755 – via Internet Archive. sahara.
  10. ↑ Dunlop, S. (2008). A Dictionary of Weather. OUP Oxford. ISBN   9780191580055 . Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  11. ↑ Holford, Ingrid (July 1, 1977). The Guinness Book of Weather Facts and Feats . Guinness Superlatives. ISBN   9780900424755 – via Internet Archive. 4300.
  12. ↑ Riordan, P.; Paul G. Bourget; U.S. Army Engineer Topographic Laboratories (1985). World Weather Extremes. The Laboratories. p. 66. ISBN   9780788115370 . Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  13. ↑ Climate and Life. Elsevier Science. 1974. p. 151. ISBN   9780080954530 . Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  14. ↑ Wadsworth, F.H.; United States. Forest Service (1997). Forest Production for Tropical America. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  15. ↑ Othieno, Herick (16 October 2015). Energy resources in Africa : distribution, opportunities and challenges. Awange, Joseph L., 1969-. Cham. p. 19. ISBN   978-3-319-25187-5. OCLC   925521900.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  16. ↑ German Aerospace Center, Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, Section Systems Analysis and Technology Assessment (April 2005), Concentrating Solar Power for the Mediterranean Region (PDF){{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ "Free, clean solar energy year-round". bosmos.com. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  18. ↑ Solar Radiation Maps: Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI), Solar GIS
  19. ↑ Liu, Z. (2015). Global Energy Interconnection. Elsevier Science. p. 30. ISBN   9780128044063 . Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  20. ↑ "Yellow Solar in africa".
  21. ↑ "Middle East and Africa Solar PV Demand to Grow by 50 Percent in 2014, According to NPD Solarbuzz". NPD Group. 2014-04-24. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  22. ↑ Louis Boisgibault, Fahad Al Kabbani (2020): Energy Transition in Metropolises, Rural Areas and Deserts. Wiley - ISTE. (Energy series) ISBN   9781786304995
  23. ↑ Kuhudzai, Remeredzai Joseph (2023-08-03). "South Africa Now Has Over 10 GW of Wind & Solar Generation Capacity". CleanTechnica. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  24. ↑ South Africa’s Robben Island to be solar powered, Decentralized Power, Diarmaid Williams, 23/10/2017
  25. ↑ "Chinese firms to build solar power plant in Garissa". the-star.co.ke. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  26. ↑ "Ghana steps up solar energy in bid to meet renewables target". RFI. 2023-08-13. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  27. ↑ Kemeny, P; Munro, P G; Schiavone, N; van der Horst, G; Willans, S (2014). "Community Charging Stations in rural sub-Saharan Africa: Commercial success, positive externalities, and growing supply chains". Energy for Sustainable Development. 23: 228–236. doi:10.1016/j.esd.2014.09.005.
  28. ↑ Renewables 2016 Global Status Report, REN 21, p. 91
  29. ↑ "masen.org.ma/index.php?Id=42&lang=en#/_". masen.org.ma. Archived from the original on 2016-03-14. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  30. ↑ "ecogeek.org/component/content/article/3770". ecogeek.org. Archived from the original on 2014-09-24. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  31. ↑ "IEA - 404 Not Found". iea.org. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  32. ↑ Reuters Editorial. "Morocco says investors lining up for $9 bln solar project". uk.reuters.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved 2017-01-29.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  33. ↑ "Morocco Solar | Solar GCC". solargcc.com. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
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