Solar power

Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaics convert light into an electric current using the photovoltaic effect.

The International Energy Agency projected in 2014 that under its "high renewables" scenario, by 2050, solar photovoltaics and concentrated solar power would contribute about 16 and 11 percent, respectively, of the worldwide electricity consumption, and solar would be the world's largest source of electricity. Most solar installations would be in China and India.

Photovoltaics were initially solely used as a source of electricity for small and medium-sized applications, from the calculator powered by a single solar cell to remote homes powered by an off-grid rooftop PV system. As the cost of solar electricity has fallen, the number of grid-connected solar PV systems has grown into the millions and utility-scale solar power stations with hundreds of megawatts are being built. Solar PV is rapidly becoming an inexpensive, low-carbon technology to harness renewable energy from the Sun.

Latest News for: Africa solar power

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DREAM: The future of agriculture

Capital Ethiopia 25 Sep 2023
Here in Ethiopia, the Distributed Renewable Energy – Agriculture Modalities (DREAM) initiative was set by the Alliance to build the first solar mini-grid powered large scale irrigation systems in Africa, providing famers with reliable, affordable, and sustainable irrigation....
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FG: Abuja-Lagos Superhighway to Last 100 Years

This Day 24 Sep 2023
Nigeria .. Segun James ... President,” he said ... Umahi said ... Some bridges will be built ... Umahi added ... Chairman of the consortium, Kenny Martins, described the project as “the first of its kind in Africa”, saying it would be ICT-compliant with a fibre optic connection, solar-powered street lights and security points on the entire stretch of the road ... ....
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Seasonal solar patterns present opportunity in North Africa

PV Magazine 22 Sep 2023
North Africa’s dry deserts and hot summers lead to excess solar potential that offers significant power opportunities for development with appropriate investment ... The high solar generation potential in North Africa is already delivering power through two links from Morocco to Spain, and discussions are in progress for a link to South-West England....
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AfDB Pledges Support to UNSG on Climate Adaptation, Early Warning System

This Day 22 Sep 2023
A statement explained that the bank would is the implementing entity for the Facility in Africa ...Second, the African Development Bank is implementing the $20-billion Desert to Power programme to develop 10,000 megawatts of solar energy across eleven countries of Africa’s Sahel zone....
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Tackling load shedding in South Africa, one home at time

PV Magazine 21 Sep 2023
CEO David Neale discusses his company’s partnership, the challenges and opportunities for residential solar energy in South Africa, and how Metrowatt is helping to relieve load shedding in the country ... Recently South Africa had less than 50% of its traditional coal power production available, which equates to about 20,000 MW....
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Semifinalists Announced for $1 Million USD Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge

The Galveston Daily News 20 Sep 2023
Association 3535 for its Cool Lion project, an innovative cooling-as-a-service enterprise utilizing solar powered cold storage hub solutions for small-holder farmers in Africa (Cote d'Ivoire) ... solar powered dehydration technologies and the use of biodegradable packaging (Uganda)....
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Clean energy on way to platinum mines from R2.5bn solar project in North West

Mining Weekly 19 Sep 2023
... of clean power from a R2.5-billion solar plant now under construction in South Africa’s North West province....
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Consumers integrate solar energy into homes

Sun Star 18 Sep 2023
She said solar energy adoption changes homes, such as solar-powered kitchens offering outdoor cooking and dining opportunities ... She said solar-powered lighting can reduce grid ... Solar lamps protect homes from power cuts and load shedding which is common in South Africa, she added....
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Urban shadowing on solar-powered vehicles

PV Magazine 18 Sep 2023
New research shows high potential for solar-powered vehicles across the world, providing between 11 km/day/kWp to 29 km/day/kWp of extended range in open areas, enabling significant levels of self-sufficiency ... The researchers also found that the charging frequency ratio for solar-powered vehicle ranges from 0% to 80%, with a median of 57%....
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Husk Power to deploy 2,500 solar mini-grids in Sub-saharan Africa

Business Day Online 18 Sep 2023
Husk Power Systems has launched an initiative targeting the deployment of 2,500 solar mini-grids operating in off-grid and weak-grid communities. read more Husk Power to deploy 2,500 solar mini-grids in Sub-saharan Africa ... ....
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Solar energy shines in global survey with 68pc support

Gulf Daily News 15 Sep 2023
With 68 per cent support, solar power was the most popular energy source, trailed by wind (54pc), hydropower (35pc) and nuclear (24pc), with only 14pc of respondents saying they favoured fossil fuels, the survey found ... in renewable energies, such as wind and solar power....
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Global survey shows two-thirds of population favours solar power

Independent online (SA) 15 Sep 2023
With 68% support, solar power was the most popular energy source, trailed by wind (54%), hydropower (35%) and nuclear (24%), with only 14% of respondents saying they favoured fossil fuels, the survey found ... "investing massively" in renewable energies, such as wind and solar power....
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Solar energy shines in global survey with 68% support

Reuters 15 Sep 2023
With 68% support, solar power was the most popular energy source, trailed by wind (54%), hydropower (35%) and nuclear (24%), with only 14% of respondents saying they favoured fossil fuels, the survey found ... massively" in renewable energies, such as wind and solar power....
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