Green energy is getting more and more popular. Many regions that were slow to embrace renewable power in the past have started to do so in the last few years. Africa’s progress is particularly significant. While the region does face some challenges, Africans have also found a great deal of success.
Solar Power is Key
Solar power is the foundation of the green energy policy in many African nations. The majority of the continent gets plenty of sunlight throughout the year, and most African nations have plenty of space for solar panels. That makes solar power an ideal choice for many communities.
African countries have started to take advantage of their natural solar resources by installing new solar panels. The continent has seen more than 1.4 GW of new solar installations. That is a massive increase over the installations in previous years, such as the 786 MW of solar capacity that were installed 2017.
Some countries are expanding their solar infrastructure more than others. Kenya, Egypt, Ghana, and Namibia are all making significant efforts, but South Africa is leading the pack.
South Africa Offers Strong Support
The government of South Africa recognizes the importance of renewable energy. It offers both a source of sustainable power for the nation and plenty of economic opportunities. Solar power can also help to combat the country’s recent shortfalls in energy production.
Political factors also play a role. Diplomatic issues, such as trade disagreements, can raise the cost of power. Production issues or political instability in nations that produce fossil fuels can lead to shortages. Native energy resources can help to protect South Africa from those issues.
The South African government recently decided encourage both individuals and businesses to embrace renewable energy. It offers a mixture of tax incentives and other programs to offset the cost of installing new infrastructure and make it easier for investors to get to work. Similar programs have done well in other nations, which bodes well for South Africa’s efforts.
Challenges Remain
The cost of establishing solar renewable energy infrastructure is a challenge for many African nations. The facilities may be affordable in the long run, but it takes a lot of money to build a new installation. The good news is that the costs have been dropping as the technology improves. That shift will make it even easier for Africans to expand their green energy resources in the future. While nobody can say exactly what the future holds, it is likely that Africa’s transition to green energy will continue in the coming years.