Africa holds an extraordinary advantage when it comes to solar energy potential. Several countries across the continent top the global rankings for solar power productivity. According to the Global Solar Atlas, nations like Namibia, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Botswana, Morocco, and Sudan are among the top 20 countries with the highest solar energy potential, due to their abundance of sunlight and vast, available land suitable for solar projects.
However, despite this natural advantage, Africa’s contribution to global solar energy production remains surprisingly low. As of May 2023, Global Solar Atlas reported that while African countries boast some of the best sunlight hours in the world, their solar power production is notably underwhelming. In fact, Africa’s share of the global solar electricity output is a mere 1.4%, largely due to the prohibitive costs involved in setting up renewable energy infrastructure in these developing economies.
The Global Solar Landscape: A Surprising Comparison
This situation presents a stark contrast when we look at the solar success stories of other countries. Take China, for example. Despite having relatively low solar potential (ranking 150th on the list of countries with the best photovoltaic potential, according to the World Bank), it is the world’s largest producer of solar energy. This paradox underscores the critical role that investment and infrastructure development play in harnessing solar energy.
For a more accurate picture of a country’s potential in solar energy, experts rely on the Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT) metric. PVOUT measures the amount of electricity that can be generated from a photovoltaic system, taking into account local conditions such as the type and number of solar panels and the solar radiation available at a given site. The calculation is expressed in kilowatt-hours per kilowatt-peak (kWh/kWp), providing a standardized way to gauge solar energy production.
Namibia: The Solar Superpower
Among the African nations, Namibia stands out as having the highest solar potential in the world. With an average national PVOUT of 5.38 kWh/kWp per day, Namibia enjoys nearly 10 hours of sunshine each day, year-round. This makes it a leader in solar power potential, surpassing even China, the global solar champion, in terms of PVOUT. Despite this, Namibia, like other African nations, has yet to fully capitalize on its solar advantage.
Other African countries, such as Egypt, Botswana, Morocco, Sudan, and Algeria, also feature prominently in the global PVOUT rankings. Together, these nations account for 40% of the world’s total solar potential, amounting to a staggering 60 million TWh per year. This suggests that if the right investments and policies are put in place, these countries could make substantial contributions to global solar energy production.
The Paradox: Africa’s Solar Potential vs. Actual Use
Despite the continent’s immense solar energy capacity, which records up to 4,300 hours of sunshine annually in certain areas, Africa’s actual solar power utilization remains dismal. Only 2% of the continent’s electricity production comes from solar energy. This paradox is a direct result of the high costs associated with solar infrastructure, compounded by economic challenges and a lack of sufficient investment in renewable energy projects.
In summary, while Africa possesses a remarkable solar energy potential, its underutilization remains a major hurdle. The necessary investments in solar infrastructure and policy development could transform the continent into a major player in global solar energy production, offering vast benefits both for Africa’s economies and the world’s energy future.
By harnessing this untapped potential, Africa could not only meet its own energy needs but also become a leader in the global renewable energy market, helping to power the world sustainably.
