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Mail & Guardian

Solar Energy

latest news & developments

Execution in the face of complexity will decide South Africa’s energy transition.

As South Africa faces coal decommissioning and an urgent need for grid capacity, lessons from SOLA's multi-buyer Project Springbok show how embracing complex commercial models…

Spiralling: Electricity tariffs have risen by more than 1 100% since 2007. In addition to consumption costs,
there are layered costs for generation, theft and non-payment, among others. Photo: Madelene Cronje

Paying more for less power

Citizens are paying far more for electricity despite using less of it, as rising tariffs, fixed monthly charges and municipal costs reshape household bills and intensify…

Electrician Morithi Manasoe Working On Installing Solar Panels. Photo: Supplied

Malawi’s solar push bypasses its poorest

A peer-reviewed study finds wealth inequality is locking the poorest households out of solar electrification

A scene from the floods that killed more than 450 people in KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022 shows the damage. (Delwyn Verasamy)

Study: Linking climate change to health doubles support for public action

New research shows that health-based climate messaging significantly increases public support for government action, especially in South Africa where concern over children and…

Alternative energy sources: An Afrobarometer survey highlights Zimbabwean citizens’ dissatisfaction with electricity provision. Photo: GGA

Rural community energy options amid climate change

For most households, solar energy is used for lighting, powering radios and charging cellphones but only a few can afford high-capacity systems that enable them to meet household…

Power: Ipeleng Mhlanga aims to make solar accessible to people
who would not be able to afford it. Photo: Supplied

Solar firm to tackle high electricity costs

As electricity tariffs continue to rise, squeezing household and small business budgets, a new solar company has entered the market with stokvel and crowdfunding models aimed at…

SOLA Group reaches Financial Close and begins construction on landmark hybrid solar and battery project for Sasol and Air Liquide

SOLA Group has achieved Financial Close (FC) on its Naos-1 Hybrid Solar and Battery Project, a 300 MW (435 MWp) solar PV facility with 660 MWh of battery energy storage (BESS).…

(Dean Hutton/Bloomberg via Getty Image

South Africa’s energy future lies in innovation

Consumers responded to load-shedding by installing solar energy. In response, Eskom chose higher tariffs instead of encouraging the move to clean energy

Otsile Bokamoso, an after-school educational organisation, has helped thousands of learners through the support of a local community trust. Pictured here is its founder, Sophile Motsumi, along with some of the students. Photo: Motlatsi Mofokeng
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Community trusts are greening the future

The trusts are designed to ensure that a portion of the profits of renewable energy projects are shared with the people who live near them

Alberto Gambacorta is the new Scatec General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa

Scatec strengthens regional leadership with appointment of Alberto Gambacorta as General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa

Scatec ASA announced the appointment of Alberto Gambacorta as General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, reinforcing the company’s commitment to renewable energy development in the…

The promise of $300 billion by 2035 is not only insufficient; it’s a betrayal of the principles of climate justice. (Guillem Sartorio/Getty Images)

Renewable energy sector doesn’t provide long-term job security

Most jobs are for the installation period only, and are therefore temporary

The expedition highlighted the potential that mobility, powered by renewable energy, had to transform livelihoods across Africa.

African-made electric motorcycle completes solar-powered journey from Nairobi to Stellenbosch

The innovative expedition has highlighted the need for electric mobility on the continent

The perfect energy infrastructure storm

Failure to deliver infrastructure impacts on basic social needs

Turbines on the Roggeveld Wind Farm.

Give me power

Red Rocket on a mission to answer businesses’ call for more energy

More businesses are now using solar panels for energy. Photo: David Harrison

Eskom: Solar energy does not help during peak load-shedding hours

More businesses are taking on solar projects, what does this mean?