NEW: The first evidence of a solar take-off in Africa☀️✈️
x33 rise in Algeria🇩🇿 solar panel imports in the 12 mths to June 2025, compared to previous 12 mths.
x8 in Zambia🇿🇲
x7 in Botswana🇧🇼
x6 in Sudan🇸🇩
x3 in each of Liberia🇱🇷, DRC🇨🇩, Benin🇧🇯, Angola🇦🇴, Ethiopia🇪🇹
🧵
Overall African imports surged 60% in the last 12 months to 15GW.
And it's not driven by South Africa - over the last two years, the imports of solar panels outside of SA have nearly tripled from 4GW to 11GW...
Many countries in Africa are now importing solar panels at scale.
These solar panels will provide a lot of electricity.
The solar panels imported into Sierra Leone in the last 12 months, if installed, would generate electricity equivalent to 61% of the total reported 2023 electricity generation, significantly adding to electricity supply🤯
Solar panel imports will reduce OVERALL imports - because the value of diesel imports eclipses the value of solar panel impors.
A solar panel in Nigeria now costs just $60, and can repay the cost of diesel for a generator within 6 months - and even less in other countries.
This research is based on Chinese customs data, which we convert from $ into MW in our China Solar Export Explorer.
It's good data, but we need MUCH MORE research and analysis to track the rise of solar in Africa.
ember-energy.org/data/chinas-so…
Africa is not the new Pakistan - yet.
However, the first evidence of a take-off in solar in Africa is now here.
And in the world of solar, change can happen very quickly💪
FULL REPORT LINK:
ember-energy.org/latest-insight…
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