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Solar Energy

Solar energy is the conversion of sunlight into electricity or heat for residential, commercial and industrial use. The technology relies primarily on photovoltaic (PV) panels, which convert sunlight directly into electricity through semiconductor materials, and concentrated solar power (CSP) systems, which use mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight and generate thermal energy for power production. Solar energy is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sectors globally, driven by falling equipment costs, improved panel efficiency and policy support for decarbonisation. Major deployment regions include China, the United States, India, Europe and increasingly sub-Saharan Africa, where off-grid and mini-grid solar installations address energy access challenges. The sector encompasses utility-scale solar farms, rooftop installations, solar water heating and emerging applications such as agrivoltaics and floating solar arrays. Solar energy plays a central role in the global energy transition, offering a scalable, emissions-free alternative to fossil fuels for electricity generation. Key challenges include intermittency, which requires energy storage or grid integration solutions, and the need for supply-chain resilience in the face of geopolitical pressures on raw materials such as polysilicon and rare metals. The technology has matured rapidly since the early 2000s, with levelised costs of electricity from solar PV now competitive with or lower than coal and gas in many markets.

Solar Energy News


Silver bars
India restricts most silver imports to cut import bill, support rupee
18th May 2026 By: Reuters

India has curbed imports of silver in nearly all forms with immediate effect, according to a government order issued on May 16, as the world's biggest consumer of the metal seeks to rein in... 


Image of a graph
Interactive tool gives insights into grid reliability across S African municipalities
8th May 2026

A publicly available dataset reveals wide disparities in grid reliability across South Africa’s municipalities — with the average power outage lasting under 2 hours in some areas and exceeding 24... 


Brighter Futures brings energy independence and change to Soweto school
22nd April 2026

How solar energy is supporting uninterrupted education with uninterrupted power The Brighter Futures initiative, a pioneering partnership between leading solar provider, GoSolr, financial services... 


Diagnosing hardware failures in PV systems using I-V curve tracers
Diagnosing hardware failures in PV systems using I-V curve tracers
14th April 2026

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are subject to various hardware issues that can significantly impact their performance. Diagnosing these issues accurately is crucial for maintaining system efficiency and... 


Durable reinforced concrete foundations and structural works provide the essential stability that keeps renewable energy infrastructure operating reliably for decades.
Keep the energy flowing — and register with the BCCEI
2nd April 2026

South Africa’s transition toward renewable energy is reshaping the national landscape. Across the country, cranes, graders and concrete mixers are hard at work on wind and solar farms that will... 


Aerial image of rooftop solar on a warehouse
Greater access to fully serviced solar solutions for SA businesses
9th January 2026

Southern African renewable energy platform provider SolarSaver recently announced a transaction with international funders to support the expansion of its fully serviced, capital expenditure-free... 


A Buyer's Market: Is it time to invest in solar for your business?
A Buyer's Market: Is it time to invest in solar for your business?
9th December 2025

Solar energy has become a visible fixture in South Africa. But many businesses are still holding off on installing solar and storage systems. Can they afford to wait, or is this a good time to make... 


An image of Chanda Nxumalo
Renewables company provides key services to Namibian energy sector
5th December 2025 By: Trent Roebeck

Renewable energy project solutions company Harmattan Renewables is involved in the Mariental and Greenam solar PV plants, providing due diligence services, and is currently Lenders’ Technical... 


Protecting Photovoltaic Farms: The Battle Against Corrosion
1st December 2025

The sun, an infinite source of energy, helps fuel our transition to a sustainable future. Photovoltaic (PV) panel farms, sprawling across landscapes, particularly in South Africa, are the physical... 


copper mark logo
Copper Mark, SSI sign collaboration agreement on responsible copper sourcing for solar sector
27th November 2025 By: Darren Parker

The Copper Mark and the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) have signed a memorandum of understanding that establishes a framework for collaboration aimed at promoting responsible production and... 


Rosond powers a greener future in drilling through sustainability and innovation
Rosond powers a greener future in drilling through sustainability and innovation
18th November 2025

(Virtual Showroom) Leading geological and exploration drilling solutions provider Rosond is driving innovation and sustainability in South Africa’s drilling industry through its latest investments... 


Western Cape Premier Alan Winde
Western Cape developing energy sustainability through renewables earlier than expected
31st October 2025 By: Rebecca Campbell

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde highlighted on Wednesday that South Africa still faces an energy crisis. Although loadshedding (scheduled rotating power cuts) has stopped, the country is still... 


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pqt: 0.071s - ct: 0.127s - 211pq - 2rq
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