Scatec switches on 273 MW of solar in South Africa
Norway’s Scatec has reached commercial operations of a 273 MW solar project in South Africa, the first to be completed from the country’s fifth bid window of its renewable energy procurement programme and the company’s first in the Western Cape province.
South Africa simplifies registration process for distributed PV
South African utility Eskom is urging consumers with grid-tied rooftop solar to register their systems and integrate them with the national grid, waiving registration fees until March 2026.
South Africa awards energy trading license to largest private bank
Investec has become one of the first financial institutions in South Africa to be awarded a license to buy and sell energy, beginning with a 50 MW solar project currently under construction. There are now 14 private companies with an energy trading license in South Africa.
South Africa deploys 928 MW of solar in Q1
South Africa’s cumulative solar capacity surpassed 9.4 GW by mid-2025, according to figures from the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA). The country also has a solar project pipeline in excess of 10 GW.
South African regulator registers almost 2 GW of projects from April to June
South Africa’s national energy regulator registered 111 generation facilities between April and June this year, with solar the leading technology.
African PV imports from China up 60% in one year, says Ember
Think tank finds evidence of “take-off” for solar in Africa, with import growth is spread across the continent. Ember analysis notes import surge has potential to markedly increase electricity generating capacity in some countries.
South African utility unveils renewable energy offtake program
Eskom has launched a renewable energy offtake program in South Africa, opening a 291 MW solar tender for large consumers through power purchase agreements on utility-owned sites.
Eskom tenders 291 MW of solar PPAs
The South African utility is aiming to tender 291 MW of solar under power purchase agreements. Projects must be at least 10 MW in size to be eligible. The deadline to submit request for proposals is September 19.
Novel MPPT method combines APO, model-predictive control
An international research team has tested a hybrid control technique combining adapted perturb and observe (APO) with model-predictive control to address complex partial shading in solar arrays. The method, validated through simulation and physical experiments, reportedly outperforms existing approaches.
Eskom tenders 72 MW of solar
South African utility Eskom is searching for a developer to design, procure, supply, test and commission a 72 MW solar project at the site of an existing power station. The deadline for applications is Sept. 30.
