Solar technology powers Covid-19 hand washing inventions in Africa
As Africa reels from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, institutions and individuals across the continent are coming up with innovations to help check its spread. Solar-powered hand washing machines to serve communities are dominating the inventions.
South African renewables jobs should be in coal regions
A study into the potential pitfalls of the shift to clean power in the nation’s coal-dependent energy mix, pointed out almost all of South Africa’s solar farms are far to the south and west of the coal regions likely to bear the brunt of job losses in a country which already has 29% unemployment.
Solarise Africa raises $10 million to spearhead its clean energy expansion in Africa
Financial solutions company Solarise Africa has raised US$10 million to support its investment in solar PV projects in Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa. The company has also set its sights on more “difficult” territories, like the DR Congo, Chad and Sierra Leone. CEO Jan Albert Valk talked to pv magazine about the company’s plans, and the “overwhelming” need for more renewable energy investment on the African continent.
Construction begins on 30 MW of solar in Burkina Faso
Work has started on PV plants with generation capacities of 20 MW and 10 MW. The facilities will be located in Koudougou, in Boulkiemdé province and in Kaya, in Sanmatenga, respectively.
South Africa to tender 6.4 GW of solar and wind, 513 MW of storage and 4.5 GW of conventional generation
The country’s regulator has approved a government plan to tender for 11.81 GW of power generation capacity on top of the 2 GW tender opened last month.
Gambia seeks consultants for 150 MW solar-plus-storage project
The transnational West African Power Pool is seeking consultants for an environmental impact study as well as transaction advisors for a project under development since October.
Zimbabwe gold mine to be powered by PV
Caledonian Mining has revealed plans to build a $13 million solar plant at the Blanket gold mine in southern Zimbabwe. It raised funds for the project via a share sale.
Senegal introduces VAT exemption for off-grid solar products
The Senegalese government is aiming to increase access to solar power in rural areas by reducing VAT on PV panels, inverters, solar thermal collectors and other products in an effort to achieve universal electricity access in the country by 2025.
Niger holds firm on plan to build solar park at diesel-fueled thermal plant
The solar plant is expected to have a capacity of up to 60 MW and will be located at the 100 MW Gorou Banda thermal power station commissioned in 2017.
Burkina Faso launches tender for 9 MW of solar
National utility Sonabel plans to build four solar projects in the towns of Dori, Diapaga and Gaoua. Interested developers have until Oct. 5 to submit their proposals.
