We attended SOLAR & STORGE LIVE AFRICA in South Africa from 18th March to 20th March, 2024.
Opening: Milestones in Africa's Energy Transition
In March 2024, the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, will host the 23rd SOLAR&STORGE LIVE AFRICA exhibition, the focal point of the global new energy industry. As the largest and oldest renewable energy industry event in Africa, this exhibition brings together over 650 global companies and attracts more than 25000 professional visitors, covering the entire industry chain of photovoltaics, energy storage, hydrogen energy, and microgrids. Our company, with the theme of "Innovation Driven, Green Future", is making its debut in the African market with the upcoming mass production of 750W high-power solar panels, showcasing China's breakthrough achievements in the field of new energy to global customers.
1、 Exhibition Core: Technological Revolution of 585W Solar Panels
As the star product of this exhibition, our 585W solar panel has become the focus with three major technological advantages:
Intelligent compatibility design: supports seamless integration with mainstream energy storage systems, providing an "integrated light storage" solution for off grid communities. The exhibition will showcase collaborative application cases of industrial and commercial liquid cooled energy storage and virtual power plant (VPP) technology.
Market response: On the first day of the exhibition, the product was signed on-site by distributors from Nigeria, Kenya and other countries, with an intention to order over 200MW.
2、 Strategic layout: Three major actions to deeply cultivate the African market
Localized cooperation
Signed a technology sharing agreement with local African companies, planning to establish a regional research and development center in Johannesburg by 2026 to enhance the waterproof performance of components in areas with frequent rainy seasons and extend their service life to 30 years.
Launch the "Africa Customized Edition" service, including weather resistant components and DC coupled "photovoltaic+energy storage" systems, to meet the needs of high energy consuming industries such as mining and data centers.
policy dividend
In response to South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Purchase Program (REIPPPP), participate in the government led 1GW photovoltaic project bidding, and utilize the policy requirement of achieving a 50% localization rate of photovoltaic modules by 2030 to promote the "technology transfer+local assembly" model.
By leveraging the tariff preferences of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the terminal selling price of products in countries such as Ghana and Tanzania can be reduced to enhance market competitiveness.
social responsibility
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) donated 50 off grid solar energy systems to remote villages in South Africa, benefiting over 2000 households and establishing a sustainable corporate image.
Launch the 'Green Engineer' training program to train 500 photovoltaic technology talents for Africa in the next three years, supporting localized employment and technology transfer.
3、 Industry Insights: Opportunities and Challenges in the African Market
opportunity
The annual growth rate of photovoltaic installed capacity in Africa has reached 24%, and policy support from countries such as South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco continues to increase. The South African government plans to achieve a 40% share of renewable energy by 2030, with a photovoltaic installation target of 11.42 gigawatts and a compound annual growth rate of 13.2% in the energy storage market.
The off grid market has enormous potential, with 600 million people still lacking stable power supply and a surge in demand for distributed photovoltaics. During the exhibition, emerging topics such as "light storage parity" and green hydrogen economy will be discussed.
challenge
The logistics cost accounts for 15% of the terminal selling price, and the supply chain needs to be optimized to maintain price competitiveness. For example, reducing storage costs through Johannesburg bonded warehouses.
The localization certification cycle is long, and it is necessary to lay out certification systems such as SABS in South Africa and SONCAP in Niger in advance to ensure product compliance and market launch.
Take immediate action
Schedule a visit to our factory in 2026
Join the African Distributor Program
In a pivotal move to accelerate Africa's energy transition, PWSOLAR participated in the SOLAR & STORGE LIVE AFRICA 2024 exhibition held in Johannesburg from March 18–20, 2024. The event, Africa's premier platform for renewable energy and storage technologies, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to address the continent's pressing energy challenges.
Showcasing Cutting-Edge Solutions
At the exhibition, PWSOLAR unveiled its latest advancements in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery storage technologies, tailored to meet Africa's unique energy demands. The company's exhibit featured:
Modular Solar-Powered Microgrids: Designed for rural and off-grid communities, these systems integrate IoT-enabled smart meters to optimize energy distribution and reduce transmission losses.
AI-Driven Energy Management Platforms: Leveraging machine learning algorithms, the platform enhances predictive maintenance and demand forecasting, ensuring grid stability in regions with intermittent power supply.
Blockchain-Based Energy Trading: A decentralized peer-to-peer system enabling transparent transactions between prosumers and consumers, fostering community-driven energy autonomy.
The company engaged in high-level discussions with government officials and stakeholders, aligning its offerings with national renewable energy targets. Key highlights included:
Panel on Digital Energy Transformation: [Spokesperson's Name] moderated a session on "AI and Blockchain for Sustainable Energy," highlighting how digital tools can revolutionize energy governance in Africa.
Addressing Africa's Energy Paradox
Despite accounting for 17% of the global population, Africa contributes only 4% of annual energy-related CO₂ emissions—a disparity exacerbated by aging infrastructure and fossil fuel dependence. PWSOLAR's solutions directly target these challenges:
Rural Electrification: Deploying portable solar kiosks in Nigeria and Kenya, the company has empowered 50,000 households with clean energy, reducing kerosene use by 80%.
Grid Modernization: In collaboration with West African governments, the company is integrating AI-driven analytics into national grids to mitigate blackouts and improve efficiency.
Industry Recognition and Future Outlook
Training Local Technicians: Launching vocational programs in Africa to build expertise in renewable energy maintenance.
Scaling Up Storage Solutions: Investing in lithium-ion battery production facilities to meet rising demand for energy storage.
As Africa confronts a projected 50% increase in energy demand by 2040, events like SOLAR & STORGE LIVE AFRICA 2024 underscore the critical role of private-sector innovation in driving sustainable development. PWSOLAR's participation reaffirms its pledge to be a catalyst for Africa's green energy revolution.
About PWSOLAR
PWSOLAR is a global leader in renewable energy solutions, specializing in solar PV, battery storage, and smart grid technologies. With operations in 120+ countries, the company is committed to delivering affordable, scalable energy systems to empower communities worldwide.
If you have free time then welcome to visit us at booth number A122.
See you in Johannesburg!
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