African countries see a surge in demand for solar panels
The Second African Climate Summit was held on Monday, September 8, 2025, in Addis Ababa, the capital of the East African country Ethiopia.
On Monday morning, RFI [African Economy] column journalist published an interview report introducing the significant increase in solar panel imports by African countries. In the twelve months from July 2024 to June 2025, Africa imported solar panels equivalent to 15,000 megawatts, with power generation capacity equivalent to 10 nuclear reactors. According to the research group Ember, this is evidence of the rapid growth of solar energy across the African continent and will drive the development of energy storage technologies.
RFI French journalist Claire pointed out at the beginning of the report in the [African Economy] column that the relevant research is based on data from Chinese customs. Because China is the main supplier of solar panels to Africa.
The import of solar panels by the African continent increased by 60% during the period from July 2024 to June 2025. Excluding South Africa, the import of photovoltaic panels in other African countries doubled in the past two years.
Solar panel imports have surged in Africa over 12 months
The same report cited the explanation from Dave Jones, chief analyst at the research group Ember: The import of solar panels in Algeria increased 33 times within one year. This is the third largest importer of solar panels in Africa, after South Africa and Nigeria. Zambia's imports increased eightfold within 12 months, Botswana increased sevenfold, Sudan increased sixfold, and imports in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Benin also exceeded threefold.
During one year, the solar panels imported into Chad can supply half of the country's electricity once assembled. This not only indicates an increase in electricity supply in Africa, but may also lead to the potential for lower electricity prices. Dave Jones said: In Nigeria, the price of a solar panel is about 60 dollars now. However, the savings from diesel can recover the cost of the solar panel within six months. In some other countries, it is even shorter.
The widespread deployment of solar energy in Africa will drive the development of energy storage technologies
RFI [African Economy] column (Chronique Afrique Economie) reported that after reviewing satellite image data, the research group Ember believes that most of the solar panels, 16,000 gigawatts (16,000 gigawatts), have so far been used for grid-connected solar power plants. However, decentralized electricity use, currently at 6,000 gigawatts (6,000 gigawatts), is also growing. Gilles Parmentier, president (PDG) of the pioneering company in the African renewable energy sector Africa REN, said in an interview: "These are some companies or industrial users, regardless of whether they are remote or not, they will be the only customers of this facility. It could be solar panels installed on the roofs of supermarkets or factories, or solar power plants built for mining areas. The last case is, in remote villages, some operators will recommend using home solar kits."
The report concluded that the widespread deployment of solar energy in Africa raises challenges that need to be addressed regarding the intermittence of this energy. The president (PDG) of Africa REN stated that the next key step is to develop energy storage projects, such as Walo Storage done in Senegal. This helps electricity companies stabilize the grid and adjust the time of solar power generation from day to night.
Another challenge will be the development of the power grid to accompany the needs of solar power plants in Africa.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1842771533206731/
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author.