Africa Outdoor Site Energy Plus Solar Panels

In 2023, 38 African countries are implementing solar installations with a capacity of over 1 megawatt (MW). However, South Africa and Egypt remain the leaders in this field. The South African government, in particular, is proactively exploiting its solar potential, with many major projects already completed.

Located in Kenhardt, this facility combines 540 MW of solar power with 225 MW of battery storage, offering a total potential of 1,140 MWh. The exceptionally high sunshine levels in West Africa provide a unique opportunity for solar energy exploitation.

While the spread of solar energy across Africa is encouraging, a significant concentration of capacity persists. In 2024, 78 per cent of all new installations were concentrated in just two countries — South Africa and Egypt.

The number of solar plants built in Africa remains low, representing barely 1 % of the continent's total energy production. The International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights that the continent has 60 % of the world's best solar resources. In 2023, 38 African countries are implementing solar installations with a capacity of over 1 megawatt (MW).

Structural challenges such as limited financing, regulatory barriers and infrastructure constraints continue to impede the continent's ability to fully unlock its solar potential. Nevertheless, Africa's growing appetite for clean energy signals a promising future for solar power across the region.

At the same time, large-scale solar projects made a notable comeback, with an 81 GW pipeline under development across the continent. This resurgence is expected to attract substantial foreign investment and contribute significantly to meeting Africa's growing energy demands.