Johannesburg: Africa is witnessing a surge in solar energy development as large-scale projects, technological breakthroughs, and growing investment reshape the continent’s renewable power landscape. From solar towers in South Africa to mini-grids in conflict-affected regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, new initiatives are highlighting both the potential and the challenges of meeting the continent’s energy needs sustainably.

In South Africa’s Northern Cape desert, the Khi Solar One plant, a 50-megawatt solar thermal power tower, has been supplying electricity to more than 40,000 households. Using a field of mirrors to direct sunlight onto a central receiver, the system stores heat for two hours, ensuring power beyond daylight hours. Building on that model, May 2025 marked the launch of the Redstone Solar Thermal Power project, a 100-megawatt facility capable of generating 480 gigawatt hours annually. Equipped with molten salt storage, Redstone provides electricity to about 200,000 households with the ability to deliver power for up to 12 hours after sunset.

Africa currently has more than 20 gigawatts of solar capacity in operation, spanning utility-scale projects, mini-grids, and residential systems. According to projections, an additional 23 gigawatts will be installed between 2025 and 2028, with at least 18 countries expected to add more than 100 megawatts each year.

Beyond large plants, off-grid solar is proving vital for communities far from national grids. In Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, a 1.3-megawatt Nuru solar mini-grid has continued operating despite conflict, powering homes, small businesses, and water treatment facilities. The company plans to expand capacity to 3.7 megawatts as part of a broader goal to reach 10 million Congolese by 2030. In Kenya and Nigeria, studies show that rural communities with solar mini-grids have seen incomes multiply, women gain greater economic independence, and hazardous fuel use decline.

Meanwhile, researchers are developing new technologies that could drastically reduce costs for concentrated solar power plants. A star-shaped receiver design tested in recent studies has the potential to cut capital costs by 75 percent and reduce energy production costs by nearly a third, while prolonging component life.

Despite these advances, Africa continues to attract only a small fraction of global clean energy funding, securing just 2 percent of investments in 2024. This is a stark contrast given that the continent holds 60 percent of the world’s best solar resources but accounts for only 1.5 percent of installed renewable energy capacity.

African leaders have pledged to add 300 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, equal to more than 100 large power plants, and projections suggest that by 2050, up to 90 percent of the continent’s electricity could come from renewable sources. Achieving these goals, however, will require significantly increased financial commitments and political coordination.

With major projects like Redstone coming online, mini-grids transforming local economies, and innovative technologies cutting costs, Africa’s solar revolution is gaining momentum. The challenge now lies in scaling investment to ensure the continent can harness its immense solar potential and build a sustainable energy future.