Does Africa have solar power?

Thanks to its sunny, equatorial position, the African continent has an immense potential for solar power, shown here in kilowatt-hours. However, solar power contributes less than 3 percent of the electricity generated in Africa. (Image license: CC BY-SA 4.0)

Why do Africans need solar power?

About 600 million Africans lack reliable access to electricity; in Nigeria specifically, almost half of the 230 million people have no access to electricity grids. Today, solar has become cheap and versatile enough to help bring affordable, reliable power to millions — creating a win-win for lives and livelihoods as well as the climate.

How many Africans lack electricity?

About 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, it said, out of a population of more than 1.3 billion. This photo released by Easy Solar shows a man and his family watching television with a solar power in his house in Monrovia, Liberia, Saturday Aug. 26, 2023. (Muctarr Bah Mohamed/Easy Solar via AP)

Are solar power plants cheaper than fossil fuels in Africa?

And development of more geographically versatile power sources, like solar and wind, has progressed more slowly in Africa. Though solar is cheaper than fossil-fuel-derived electricity in the long term, upfront construction costs are often higher than they are for building new fossil-fuel power plants.

Are solar water pumps a solution to Africa's energy crisis?

Solar-powered water pumps revolutionize agriculture by ensuring year-round irrigation, improving food security, and reducing women’s time spent fetching water. Africa faces a significant energy access challenge, with approximately 600 million people lacking access to electricity (UN Trade and Development).