Thanks to Widely Available Solar Panels & Batteries at More Affordable Price Points, African Countries Are Finally Going Solar! - CleanTechnica

The article highlights the growing adoption of solar energy across African countries, driven by the increasing availability and affordability of solar panels and battery storage solutions. Despite Africa having some of the best solar resources globally, the continent still accounts for less than 2% of global solar generation, with over 600 million people lacking access to electricity and many more facing unreliable power supply. The article emphasizes the urgent need for concrete action plans and funding to deploy a mix of distributed renewable energy solutions—including mini-grids and energy-as-a-service battery rentals—across urban and rural areas to address these longstanding energy access challenges. Recent data from Ember reveals a significant surge in solar panel imports across Africa, particularly from China, with a 60% increase in the last 12 months reaching over 15 GW. This growth is widespread, with 20 countries setting new import records and 25 countries importing at least 100 MW of solar panels, up from 15 countries the previous year. The imported solar capacity could substantially boost electricity