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Solar

Solar refers to energy technologies that harness sunlight to generate electricity or heat, forming a cornerstone of the global renewable energy transition. The two principal technologies are photovoltaic (PV) systems, which convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials, and concentrated solar power (CSP), which uses mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight to produce heat for electricity generation. Solar PV has experienced rapid cost reductions and deployment growth over the past two decades, becoming one of the cheapest sources of new electricity generation in many markets. Utility-scale solar farms, rooftop installations and off-grid systems are deployed across residential, commercial and industrial applications. Solar energy is abundant, emissions-free during operation and increasingly competitive with fossil fuels, making it central to decarbonisation strategies and climate change mitigation. The technology requires critical minerals including silicon, silver, copper and increasingly cadmium, tellurium and indium for advanced thin-film panels. Africa has exceptional solar resources, particularly in the Sahel, southern Africa and East Africa, though deployment has lagged other regions due to financing, grid infrastructure and policy challenges. Solar complements wind power in diversified renewable energy portfolios and is often paired with battery storage to address intermittency. The sector is supported by policy mechanisms including feed-in tariffs, auctions and tax incentives, and is reshaping electricity markets, energy access and industrial competitiveness worldwide.

Solar Updates


Scatec CEO Terje Pilskog
Scatec starts building 120 MW Sidi Bouzid II solar plant in Tunisia
18th June 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Renewable energy company Scatec has reached financial close and started construction on the 120 MW Sidi Bouzid II solar plant, in Tunisia. The €96-million project is expected to reach commercial... 


A.P. Moller Capital moves to buy Mainstream Renewable Power South Africa
A.P. Moller Capital moves to buy Mainstream Renewable Power South Africa
17th June 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Global institutional fund manager A.P. Moller Capital has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of renewable-energy developer and independent power producer Mainstream Renewable Power South Africa.... 


Red Rocket COO Luca Silva speaks to
Red Rocket sees opportunity in next phase of energy market evolution
17th June 2026 By: Mariaan Webb

Red Rocket COO Luca Silva speaks to Engineering News at the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town about the company's growth ambitions, opportunities in Africa's electricity market and the role of... 


Andrew Taylor
Cofounder and head of trading 
NOA
NOA positions itself as partner in South Africa's energy market
17th June 2026 By: Mariaan Webb

NOA cofounder and head of trading Andrew Taylor speaks to Engineering News at the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town about the company's integrated energy platform, the growing role of renewable... 


Blanket mine
Caledonia reports improved ESG metrics at Blanket mine
15th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Caledonia Mining has released its 2025 environmental, social and governance (ESG) report, highlighting progress made at the company’s flagship Blanket mine, in Zimbabwe. Caledonia... 


Powering Africa’s Just Energy Transition: From Ambition to Bankable Delivery
Powering Africa’s Just Energy Transition: From Ambition to Bankable Delivery
15th June 2026

By: Rentia van Tonder - Head of Power and Renewables, Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking Ahead of the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town, the central question for the continent is no... 


Powering Africa’s Just Energy Transition: From Ambition to Bankable Delivery
15th June 2026

By: Rentia van Tonder - Head of Power and Renewables, Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking Ahead of the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town, the central question for the continent is no... 


Solar panels and wind turbines
South Africa facing major mismatch between renewable energy, grid management
15th June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

South Africa’s energy sector has undergone a remarkable transformation, RMB senior investment banker for infrastructure sector solutions Keith Webb says. The country, once plagued by loadshedding,... 


Cutting the cost of Africa’s energy transition with the right flexibility mix
Cutting the cost of Africa’s energy transition with the right flexibility mix
15th June 2026

The limits of storage-only thinking in balancing Africa’s renewable grids: Why a hybrid approach to flexibility will deliver better outcomes than batteries alone Africa’s energy transition is... 


Extreme weather requires more than a visual inspection for solar plants
12th June 2026

By: Heather Dugmore South Africa's largest insurers say claims for weather-related damage to solar assets have exponentially increased. As insurers tighten cover and claim conditions, the burden of... 


Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking head of power and renewables Rentia van Tonder
Grid expansion, management critical as South Africa’s electricity sector decentralises
12th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Improved cost efficiencies, shifts in legislation and policy enablers towards an open market continue to support South Africa’s investment in renewable-energy projects, Standard Bank Corporate and... 


IEA executive director Fatih Birol
Countries prioritising domestic energy options amid ‘largest-ever energy security crisis’
12th June 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Countries are increasingly prioritising domestic energy resources as they seek to reduce their reliance on imported fuels in response to what the International Energy Agency (IEA)  is describing as... 


Battery energy storage system and solar
Eva copper mine project renewable hybrid power facility, Australia
12th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Power solutions provider Aggreko plans to develop Australia’s largest off-grid renewable hybrid power facility.  


Standard Bank reports growth in finance for renewable energy projects in Africa
9th June 2026 By: Schalk Burger

The finances raised by financial services firm Standard Bank for renewable energy power generation in Africa outpaced that for non-renewable power generation by a ratio of 8:1 in 2025. The scale... 


How ACTOM NECRT solutions are powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion
How ACTOM NECRT solutions are powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion
5th June 2026

As South Africa accelerates its transition to cleaner energy, the reliability and performance of grid‑connection equipment have become central to the success of large‑scale renewable projects.... 


Image of Zondereinde solar farm
Zondereinde solar PV project, South Africa – update
5th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Construction has been completed. 


Image of SunCentral solar facility
SunCentral solar farm, South Africa – update
5th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

SolarAfrica has reached financial close on R1.5-billion for SunCentral 2. 


Entries for Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation to open on July 13
4th June 2026 By: Schalk Burger

The UK Royal Academy of Engineering says entries for its next Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation competition will open on July 13 and close on September 8. The 2026 shortlist of applicants... 


The charging question: why commercial property needs to think about EVs now
The charging question: why commercial property needs to think about EVs now
2nd June 2026

By:Sungrow - a global leader in renewable energy technology South Africa's fuel price environment has shifted the electric vehicle conversation from aspiration to commercial calculus. The April... 


SAWEA welcomes the 20 female participants in the 2026 MDP and calls for intentional transformation within the sector
SAWEA welcomes the 20 female participants in the 2026 MDP and calls for intentional transformation within the sector
1st June 2026

Globally, the renewable energy sector offers diverse opportunities across the entire value chain, from engineering and operations to policy and community engagement. Yet, women remain... 


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