How much does solar PV cost in Africa?

On-grid commissioned and planned utility-scale solar PV projects between 2014 and 2018 in Africa range from around USD 1.2 to USD 4.9/W (USD 1 200 to 4 900/kW). Although Africa is currently home to a very small set of utility-scale solar PV projects, costs have been declining over time.

Where are solar panels installed in Africa?

Most of the grid-connected residential solar PV systems in Africa are installed either in North African countries or in South Africa. Tunisia and South Africa in particular have established markets, while Morocco has successfully used solar PV to electrify villages. These markets have competitive costs compared to OECD countries.

Are solar PV systems becoming more common in Africa?

Source: World Bank, 2016. With an expanding market for the installation of solar PV systems in Africa, it naturally can be expected that companies which produce solar PV modules locally will emerge and become more common.

How much solar PV will Africa have by 2030?

IRENA estimates that with the right enabling policies, Africa could be home to more than 70 gigawatts of solar PV capacity by 2030. The report discusses challenges in policy making and proposes a co-ordinated effort to collect data on the installed costs of solar PV in Africa, across all market segments.

How much does a solar system cost in West Africa?

The systems in West Africa for which IRENA has data are smaller in size, with correspondingly higher costs per watt, although the larger systems are close to the median value of USD 2.9/W (with little diference for the on- and of-grid projects).

What is the average solar PV system capacity in Africa?

The average residential solar PV system in OECD countries has a capacity of 3 to 5 kW. SHS in Africa can be 60 to 250 times smaller, with a typical capacity of 20 to 100 W. In addition to having higher costs per watt due to their small size, these systems need to incorporate batteries and charge controllers.