SOLAR HOME SYSTEMS ON THE RISE

SOLAR home systems have emerged as the most dynamic sector in the offgrid electricity industry and will have a significant socio-economic impact by providing power to millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa, the organisers of an upcoming energy conference said yesterday. The 11th Africa Energy Indaba will be held in Sandton, Johannesburg, on February 19 and 20 and will focus on the role of off-grid and mini-grid in rural electrification on the continent, highlighting the significant growth potential of solar. The total power derived from solar has officially outpaced any other fuel with regard to global energy output and the energy source is currently the front runner in renewables, with solar PV (photovoltaic) additions transcending all other fuels, including coal. A report conducted by the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicted unrelenting solar PV growth up to 2022. Solar PV is expected to represent the largest annual capacity additions for renewables, exceeding wind and hydro within the next five years. According to recent tracking of off-grid solar PV applications in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa conducted by the IEA, off-grid capacity is estimated to triple to more than 3 000MW in 2022 owing to solar home systems, industrial applications and mini-grids led by government electrification programmes and private sector investment. “Being the sunniest region on the planet and with its vast natural resources, Africa is set to experience considerable socio-economic advancements,” organisers of the Africa Energy Indaba said yesterday. “The most dynamic sector in the off-grid segment are solar home systems.”