Is East Africa a good place for solar energy?

East Africa stands out as home to some of the most promising zones for solar photovoltaic energy, particularly in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania, and for wind energy, particularly in Kenya.

Are agrivoltaic systems effective in East Africa?

Agrivoltaic systems (AVS) (elevated solar arrays enabling energy and rainwater harvesting alongside crop production), have been gaining increasing traction globally. Most research has focused on the technical efficacy of AVS, with less attention paid to social dimensions and few studies in East Africa (EA).

Can solar energy improve livelihoods in East African agricultural communities?

This work was funded by the ESRC through UKRI's Global Challenges Research Fund and forms part of a collaborative project entitled “Harvesting the sun twice: Enhancing livelihoods in East African agricultural communities through innovations in solar energy” led by the University of Sheffield (PI Prof S Hartley; ES/T006293/1).

Can solar PV solve Africa's energy deficit?

Address Energy Poverty and Infrastructure Gaps: Solar PV presents a significant opportunity to address Africa’s energy deficit, particularly in rural areas where electrification rates are low. African governments should prioritize the deployment of solar PV technologies to meet their domestic energy needs.

Does Africa have a competitive advantage in solar energy generation?

Despite these challenges, Africa holds a natural competitive advantage in solar energy generation due to its favorable geographic conditions. Solar power generation could provide a sustainable solution to meet the continent’s growing energy deficit, promote industrial development, and drive economic growth.

Is Africa a good place to invest in solar energy?

Africa, with its vast landmass and abundant sunlight, is geographically well-positioned to take advantage of the global growth in solar PV. Many African countries experience high levels of solar irradiance, providing them with a natural advantage in solar energy generation.