Solar energy is rapidly expanding across Africa, giving hope for electrifying more of the continent with renewable energy. The Central African Republic, for example, generates more than a third of its energy from sunlight, giving it the highest penetration of solar in its electricity mix in Africa. That’s according to the latest report from the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA).
The Central African Republic is leading on solar but two other countries also now get more than a quarter of their energy from solar power, while 13 countries generate more than 10% of their electricity from the sun, including Chad, Somalia and Malawi. At least one village in Malawi runs entirely on solar power.
In its report, the Kigali-based AFSIA notes that their energy breakdown is an estimate and very likely underestimates the true size of the sector, as the methodology used failed to capture many small projects. These figures should also be put into perspective, as Africa remains the least-electrified continent in the world; roughly 600 million people lack access to reliable and affordable electricity. In the Central African Republic, only 15.7% of the population has access to electricity, mostly concentrated in the capital, Bangui. Such energy poverty creates major obstacles to development and the protection of human rights, researchers have found.
Africa is endowed with vast renewable energy resources. The continent holds around 60% of the world’s best solar potential, but just 1% of global installed solar photovoltaic capacity. Such abundance leaves significant room for growth in the sector, but solar was long overlooked by investors because of its intermittent nature, the report notes.
However, the growing availability and affordability of batteries are helping to overcome limitations, opening the possibility that solar could become a more significant source of power generation in Africa.
However, batteries, including the most commonly used lithium-ion batteries, carry environmental risks, including contamination from mining the minerals needed to make them and pollution of local water supplies. Less-expensive lead-acid batteries are also sometimes used. In 2024, researchers in Malawi found that informal lead-acid battery remanufacturing also releases dangerous amounts of lead into the environment, threatening the health of recyclers as well as people and animals.
The expansion of solar power in Africa could soon slow down. China is the world’s leading supplier of photovoltaic solar panels and battery storage, accounting for an estimated 80% of global solar panel production. Starting in April 2026, Chinese solar panel manufacturers will no longer benefit from export VAT credits for batteries used in solar storage, which could drive up costs for African buyers. It will be a gradual reduction, but the tax credits will be completely phased out by 2027, potentially dealing a significant blow to the development of this renewable energy sector in Africa.
Banner image: Solar-powered lights afford residents more hours to work or study. Image courtesy of Kondwani Jere/SolarAid.
This story first appeared on Mongabay
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