Nigeria’s C&I solar plans under a cloud of diesel
A new approach aims to reconnect commercial and industrial (C&I) energy users to the grid, supplying daytime power from solar and batteries through grid infrastructure funded by PV installers, with diesel as a backup when needed.
Agrivoltaics can improve water conservation in Africa
Research led by the University of Sheffield installed an off-grid agrivoltaic system in Tanzania and a grid-tied agrivoltaic system in Kenya. They found the installations helped boost crop yield and conserve water while generating electricity at a lower cost than the national grid.
Desert-to-Power initiative seeks project coordinator
The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Desert-to-Power (DtP) initiative, which aims to install 10 GW of solar across 11 Sahel countries by 2030, is hiring a project coordinator. The application deadline is Dec. 20.
New algorithm may help mitigate unequal power curtailment
Developed by researchers in South Africa, the proposed technique is based on the water cycle algorithm (WCA), a population-based metaheuristic optimization algorithm that is inspired by the water cycle process in nature and how streams and rivers flow into the sea.
Gabon inaugurates first utility-scale solar plant
Gabon has opened its first utility-scale solar plant – the largest in Central Africa. Developer Solen SA Gabon has said it aims to expand the Ayémé project’s capacity to 30 MW to power more than 300,000 homes.
Juwi to build 20 MW/11 MWh solar-plus-storage project in Senegal
Juwi says it will construct a $33.2 million solar-plus-storage project in Senegal, integrating a 20 MW solar plant with 11 MWh of battery storage. The system will meet 20% of the energy needs of the Grande Côte mineral sands mine.
Benin starts building 25 MW PV plant
Benin has started construction of the 25 MW Forsun PV plant, which is set to join the Defisol and TTC projects to expand the Illoulofin Solar Power Station’s total capacity to 75 MW. The government said the project is backed by a $25.8 million investment.
Cape Verde runs tender for 10 MW of solar
Cape Verde’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Energy of Cape Verde is seeking expressions of interest from engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies to develop 10 MW of solar on the country’s largest island. The deadline for applications is Nov. 28.
South Africa’s tax authority opens solar systems tender
South Africa’s revenue department is seeking bidders for the engineering, design and installation of solar panel systems at its offices across the country. The deadline for applications is Dec. 9.
Financing secured for solar-plus-storage project in Senegal
Madagascar-based Axian Energy has obtained €84 million ($89.2 million) of financing for a solar-plus-storage project, featuring a 60 MW solar plant and a 72 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in southern Senegal.
