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Falling technology costs pave way for solar in Africa
Declining technology costs have made solar PV one of the cheapest ways to meet power needs in Africa, according to a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The Solar PV in Africa: Costs and Markets report estimates that installed costs for utility-scale solar PV projects in Africa have decreased by as much as 61% since 2012. Today, installed costs for solar projects in the continent are as low as $1.30 per watt, compared to the global average of $1.80 per watt. There is also market speculation that PV costs could continue to drop by as much as 60% in the next ten years.
Africa has seen a large increase in solar power generation projects, with more than 800 MW of new solar PV capacity added in 2014 – doubling the continent’s cumulative capacity – and another 750 MW added in 2015.
Solar home systems, which tripled in number in Africa between 2010 and 2014, can now provide the annual electricity needs of off-grid households for as little as $56 per year, says IRENA. The organisation estimates that with the right enabling policies, Africa could be home to more than 70 GW of solar PV capacity by 2030.
News Item details
Journal title: Energy World
Subjects: Electricity generation, Energy consumption, Domestic, Renewables, Solar power, Photovoltaics, Energy prices, Electricity prices
