Renewables targets falling by the wayside, according to African solar survey
An overview of the state of solar across the continent by trade body the Africa Solar Industry Association has highlighted a patchy policy landscape where clean power ambitions are often not followed through.
Kenyan utility seeks proposals for PV plant at water treatment site
The tender was launched by Nyahururu Water and Sanitation Company (Nyahuwasco), which operates in the Laikipia West sub-county of Laikipia County, in central Kenya.
The untapped potential of floating PV in Africa
Researchers at the European Commission’s Joint Research Center have assessed the potential of installing floating solar plants on 146 hydropower reservoirs in Africa. They concluded that, in addition to increasing installed capacity, the plants also reduce water evaporation, allowing for increased annual hydropower production.
Kenya launches tender to add solar to 22 diesel mini-grids
Kenyan utility KPLC wants to retrofit 23 diesel mini-grids by adding wind and solar power generators. PV is the only option available for 21 of the selected sites.
Risk vs. reward: Optimizing energy yield with 182mm wafers
The shift to larger wafer formats has been by far the most important trend in the PV supply chain over the past year. While other sizes are also being introduced to the market, the 182mm product is initially expected to represent the largest share. And it is viewed by many as the optimal way to ensure considerable gains in energy yield whist minimizing disruption to supply chain and end markets. We’ll delve into these claims surrounding modules based on the 182mm wafer, taking a closer look at Jinko’s Tiger pro module series.
Two innovative approaches to funding African solar
With Cape Town-based The Sun Exchange’s cell-level solar leasing model now reportedly serving 19,000 micro investors, linking finance directly to carbon emission tonnage is another route to bringing PV investment to fruition across the continent.
SN Power acquisition secures 10.5 GW pipeline for developer Scatec
The renewables business formerly known as Scatec Solar has added a 2.5 GW hydropower portfolio in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa and also added its first wind farm while reporting a consolidated loss of almost $43 million for the year.
EIB finance for Burkina Faso solar plant
The European Investment Bank will lend more than half the cost of expanding the first solar project built by the West African nation’s electric utility, from 37 MW to 50 MW.
Global actions delivering electricity for rural households through off-grid renewable energy
The Sustainable Development Goal set forth in SDG 7.1 calls for universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services by 2030. It is estimated that currently 789 million people do not have access to electricity in their homes or communities. Rural inhabitants encompass 80% of the total number of people lacking household electricity access. On a global scale, rural inhabitants have been gaining access to electricity at a rapid rate over the past couple decades (IRENA 2020, 23). However, certain regions have seen little improvement in this area. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the starkest example.
How end-user subsidies can help achieve universal energy access
In a recent GOGLA discussion paper, 25 GOGLA members discussed the way forward on how end-user subsidies can be modeled to accelerate universal energy access in underserved markets.
